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The Swiss Post has been a pioneer in drone logistics worldwide. As one of the first companies, it has been using drones since March 2017 to transport laboratory samples between hospitals and laboratories. This service has generated significant interest in the healthcare sector. With its strategy “Post of Tomorrow,” the Swiss Post is focusing even more on logistics solutions in its core business. The Post aims to continue financing a high-quality public service with its own resources in the future.
In line with this strategy, the Post has thoroughly examined all ongoing projects for their economic viability in recent months – including the drones. The analyses have shown that the autonomous drones do indeed attract interest. However, over the course of five years, it has become clear that the Post cannot deploy the drones widely and profitably with the current technology and existing regulatory requirements. For this reason, the Post has decided to hand over its drone project to the drone developer Matternet by the end of December 2022.
Matternet Continues to Offer Services
As of January 1, 2023, the Post will transfer operational operations to the California-based drone developer Matternet. Matternet is the manufacturer of the drones and a partner in the project in Switzerland. Existing customers – the University Hospital Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the Ticino Hospital Association EOC – will have the opportunity to continue using drone transport services from Matternet in the future.
Innovation Remains Central for the Post
The Post draws a positive conclusion from its multi-year drone project: It has made valuable pioneering contributions for the entire industry and for Switzerland. Innovation will continue to be of central importance to the Post – because a Switzerland that is moving needs a Post that does the same. The Post’s goal is to drive innovation where the needs of people and businesses align with the Post’s mission – always with the aim of ensuring a self-sustaining public service.
Photo: © Swiss Post AG
