These autonomous drones are designed to bring life-saving supplies to hospitals in remote areas.

Most people associate drones with recreational flying, military use and even deliver packages, but one company recently set its sights on using autonomous drone technology to deliver medical help to hard-to-reach hospitals. Zipline was founded to create a system that supports people by quickly responding to medical needs. The aim is to replace medical service delivery vehicles that have to go through harsh roads. Zipline hospital distribution centers are equipped with medical supplies, blood bags, vaccines, etc. Each contains a fleet of fully electric autonomous drones that can carry 4 pounds of supplies or 3 units of blood.

After a hospital submits a request to a Zipline distribution center, staff will initiate a process to ensure supplies are transported to their destination and quickly. The electric drone is equipped with a custom navigation system, and once one is fully loaded and scanned for takeoff, it is launched into the air, reaching speeds of up to 62 mph over way to destination. The drone remains autonomous, but it continues to be monitored from the distribution center, ensuring that it does not interfere with any flights in the area or experience flight problems due to weather or mechanical malfunction.

When the drone is about to reach the hospital far away, it sends a text message to the recipient. Upon arrival, it will drop off medical supplies and begin returning to the Zipline distribution center to be ready for its next flight. Zipline claims that their distribution centers cover a 50-mile radius with a 30-minute hospital reach. Zipline’s system has helped people in Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, the US and Japanwith future plans to build a distribution center in Ireland.

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