Drone

The state-owned corporation said the drones will be used for the delivery of online shopping parcels and time-sensitive items such as medication.

"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," Australia Post managing director Ahmed Fahour said.

The electrically powered Ehang 184, unveiled at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, can carry a single passenger weighing up to 100 kg for a 23-minute flight at sea level at a speed of 100 km per hour, the company said.

After setting a flight plan, passengers only need to send two commands: "take off" and "land," each controlled by a single click on an accompanying tablet, it said.

There's no need for a runway because the drone takes off and lands vertically.