http://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/meet-mail-carrier-future-225516851--abc-news-tech.html

YaHoo Tech

Meet the Mail Carrier of the Future

This could be the way mail is delivered in the not-so-distant future.

Switzerland's postal service kicked off a month-long test this week to use drones for parcel deliveries.

While officials said the full scale commercial use of drones isn't set for at least five more years, they hope the tests will allow them to figure out the limitations of flying postal carriers.


The initial drone model being used is extremely light and is able to carry loads of around two pounds a little more than six miles on a single battery charge, according to a statement from Swiss Post. The drone flies autonomously and follows flight plans laid out in cloud software.

"Until the time of their realistic commercial use in around five years, there are various requirements which need to be clarified. This includes the regulatory framework," a Swiss Post statement said. "In addition, there are technical restrictions with the drones of today, such as limited battery life."

The postal service said it foresees the drones being useful in extreme situations, such as bringing supplies to storm-ravaged areas and transporting precious, high priority cargo such as laboratory tests.

Last year DHL began delivering packages via drone to Juist, a remote island off the northwestern coast of Germany. DHL said the flights marked the first time a pilotless plane has been allowed to make regular commercial flights in Europe.

Cool!

at least now they can have a real excuse for miss placing the mail : )~

oh can we run around if they start dropping from the sky and yell
" The sky is falling , the sky is falling ? ? "

<shrug>

I like the idea of sending it to remote areas, like the island, or for emergency supplies or first aid. Other than that, I see too many down sides & sinister plots ...

Isn't that what pigeons are for?

me likee...

how big is it? looks easy to "borrow"

I thought the same. In this case, robo pigeons.

Gee, you could put a little camera on that thing and fly up to windows ...

seen someone doing that delivering subs , i think it was
forgot where it was though

dude was down in the road on his bike
and the people getting it was on there 4th or 5th floor balcony

and yes i know that isnt what you where talking about
but it made me remember

and i agree could be used for good or bad
the cops here in my state Va. had had the ones with cameras for a while now : (