UPS launches a drone 'airline' to deliver medical samples
Autonomous delivery drone networks are coming to the #US in earnest. #UPS and #Matternet are launching a drone "airline" that will use the robotic aircraft to carry medical samples between WakeMed's #HealthCare facilities in #Raleigh, #NC. The drone of choice (an M2 quadcopter) can only carry up to 5lbs at distances as long as 12.5 miles, but it should still be faster, cheaper and more consistent than the current system of driving samples across town using cars. They won't have to deal with traffic snarls, after all.
This isn't the flexible drone delivery service you might have imagined. Drones will fly along fixed routes, with a trained Remote Pilot-in-Command keeping watch over the trip. It's part of the #FAA's larger pilot program testing public-private partnerships involving drones, and involves the help of the FAA as well as North Carolina's Department of Transportation.
Autonomous delivery drone networks are coming to the #US in earnest. #UPS and #Matternet are launching a drone "airline" that will use the robotic aircraft to carry medical samples between WakeMed's #HealthCare facilities in #Raleigh, #NC. The drone of choice (an M2 quadcopter) can only carry up to 5lbs at distances as long as 12.5 miles, but it should still be faster, cheaper and more consistent than the current system of driving samples across town using cars. They won't have to deal with traffic snarls, after all.
This isn't the flexible drone delivery service you might have imagined. Drones will fly along fixed routes, with a trained Remote Pilot-in-Command keeping watch over the trip. It's part of the #FAA's larger pilot program testing public-private partnerships involving drones, and involves the help of the FAA as well as North Carolina's Department of Transportation.