Fly-buys a step closer as Australia Post tests drone

Australia Post has launched its drone technology designed to deliver small parcels to homes.

Parcels delivered by drone. Picture: Alex Coppel

Australia Post has launched its drone technology designed to deliver small parcels to homes.

Chief executive Ahmed ­Fahour told The Weekend Australian that the closed-field trial would prove especially useful for online shopping, which has recorded double-digit growth over the past five years. “Today’s online shopper ­expects to ­receive their purchase wherever and whenever they want. RPAs (remotely piloted aircraft) may be another way to help make our customers’ lives easier,” he said.

“We will put this innovative technology through its paces over the coming weeks and months to understand what it can deliver, how far it can travel and, ultimately, how our customers could receive a parcel.”

Mr Fahour, speaking at a trial delivery in Melbourne’s southeast, said AusPost had been working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to demonstrate reliability, safety and operational processes and would start customer trials in the second half of the year. It is working with Melbourne-based startup ARI Labs and its trained pilots.

About 50 businesses will participate in the trial in which drivers will take a drone with them to customers who have agreed to participate. The drone will be used for the final step: taking the parcel over a locked gate or where it is a long distance from the gate to a front porch.

The prototype drone, which can carry up to 1.2kg, is being tested for short flights of 15-20 minutes. The drones have a HD camera and a parachute system that deploys and allows the craft to land safely in the event of a malfunction, as well as lights and sirens for emergencies.

Mr Fahour said the drones would not replace staff but rather augment delivery approach. A nationwide drone delivery system was still 10-20 years away.