A week ago, we wrote about how drones are becoming an essential tool for combating malaria. Now, it appears that the technology holds the promising potential to help in the fight against the COVID-19 too.
Zipline, a medical drone delivery company, which is currently helping hospitals in Rwanda and Ghana operate more efficiently, is coming to the US to streamline medical deliveries while maintaining social distancing.
As it becomes ever more important for people to self-isolate to help tackle the spread of the virus, the company’s drones could be used to deliver home equipment to enable telemedicine appointments for some patients or even deliver specialty medicines that aren’t available at local drugstores.
Currently, the company says they would deliver to designated areas in neighborhoods, but they’re working on figuring out ways to drop supplies off directly at people’s homes. Similar to its operations in Africa, the company could also quickly distribute masks and other personal protective equipment. And when a vaccine is produced, it will likely be available only in limited quantities initially; drones could assist with delivering it to the most critical areas.
Zipline is currently waiting for FAA approval to operate, but the company is confident that once it gets the green light, it will be able to set up a new operating system in just a few weeks.
