It was able to “initiate a controlled emergency landing and landed on Lake Zurich, according to a statement released by Swiss Post on FridayExternal link. Nobody was hurt, and the drone was later recovered by city of Zurich police, as can be seen here.
However, all drone flights on the scheme were stopped temporarily.
The cause is now known: the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) has given the cause of the accident as a short circuit, Swiss Post said.
MatternetExternal link, the American manufacturer, has made several modifications to the drones, which have been approved by officials at the Federal Office of Civil Aviation.
Safety a priority
“Swiss Post and Matternet will now resume flights for their customers in Zurich and Lugano [in southern Switzerland] from 15 April 2019,” the statement said. Swiss Post stressed that safety was “the highest priority”.
“Postal drones” have so far carried out more than 3,000 flights without accident in Lugano, Zurich and Bern. Swiss Post describes itself as a pioneer in Switzerland for autonomous and commercial drones, in the medical domain, saying the service is faster, more flexible and environmentally friendly than ground transportation.
Rescue drones
Also on Friday, Swiss air rescue service Rega announcedExternal link that it had developed a special drone that can search for missing people across large areas. It is equipped with various sensors, such as a thermal camera.
The drone will be used in addition to conventional rescue methods and, for example, be used in cases where the helicopter is grounded due to poor visibility, Rega said.
Rega CEO Ernst Kohle said that Rega had “continually used cutting-edge technology” to further improve air rescue and help people in distress.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Swiss government criticised for delay in insect protection
This content was published on
Five years after the House of Representative's Environment Committee voted in favour of better protection for insects, Swiss NGO Birdlife criticises the government's hesitant action.
Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter to carry Swiss flag at Paralympics
This content was published on
Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter will carry the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Paris on Wednesday.
Digitalisation increases uncertainty for Swiss creatives
This content was published on
Digitalization could further worsen the legal and social situation of creative artists. According to a new report, social security, copyright and privacy protection are lagging behind developments.
Albane Valenzuela first Swiss golfer to play in Solheim or Ryder Cups
This content was published on
Albane Valenzuela will be the first Swiss golfer to play in either the Solheim or Ryder Cup, the biennial tournaments between Europe and the United States.
Not one Swiss canton on track for Paris climate agreement
This content was published on
Despite some progress, not one of Switzerland's 26 cantons is yet on a trajectory compatible with the Paris climate agreement, which would limit global warming to 1.5°C.
This content was published on
Switzerland's "Drone Valley" is home to 80 startups in the field. What are the factors driving their success? And how can we avoid chaos in the skies?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.