Cheaper & Faster: First Insulin Delivery Via Drone
From delivering pizza to an automated external defibrillator (AED) that might potentially help to save someone's life, drone technology continues to branch out and bring us new delivery options for a wide range of markets.
Drones have already successfully delivered mail, blood samples, a donor kidney, and they are truly just getting started.
In the years to come, we can expect to see drones frequently being used to transport a wide range of materials. As well, they could increasingly become implemented for delivery services for groceries, fast food, and more. They're being used to inspect buildings, keep an eye on crops, helping to catch poachers and assist in security operations, and much more.
Just recently, a drone was able to successfully deliver some insulin with the help from a doctor in Arkansas. This was said to be the world's very first insulin delivery via drone.
“This kind of technology is going to become more common initially for things like these emergency deliveries of blood or medications…and eventually for the more routine stuff,” - Dr. O’Keefee.
The drone delivered the diabetes medication to an area that was located off the west coast of Ireland. The project was also supported by the Irish Aviation Authority and they were allegedly able to maintain contact with regulators throughout the journey. It's believed to be the world's first and successful, out of the line of sight insulin delivery.
The all-electric drone they used is able to travel up to 100km in less than an hour, known as the Wingcopter 178 Heavy Lift.
Those working on the drone project to deliver these supplies believe that drone technologies can help to boost the standard of living for many. Drone technology is helping by providing endless possibilities for connecting with different communities no matter how rural they might be. Drones can help to increase access, increase choices, and improve life for many as a result.
Cargo drones and other drone designs are expected to eventually drastically transform the shipping and delivery market.
From reducing delivery time to decreasing the environmental footprint, there are a variety of benefits associated with drone delivery, that make it a superior option to alternative delivery solutions.
“It’s much more cost-, energy- and time-efficient to send [a blood sample] via drone, rather than send it in a two-ton car down the highway with a person inside to bring it to a different lab for testing,” - A. Raptopoulos, founder and CEO of Matternet.
Despite the progress that has been made so far, many companies still say that government regulation is obviously standing in the way of innovation.
However, in areas where they have been working with different organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, and there is a pressing need there for delivery of life-saving supplies, the regulatory hurdles can be overcome quicker than they might have been able to in other circumstances.
For this reason, the head of global business development for Matternet, says they've preferred to focus on the ability to use the technology to deliver that life-saving equipment rather than pizzas. That doesn't mean that other companies haven't been looking to meet that need though, and explore a variety of mundane deliveries like sunscreen.
The government has been able to make way for the use of militarized drones already for years, that have caused a great deal of devastation in many regions. Who knows how long they might still drag their feet on the commercial front, ultimately preventing the innovation and progress of drone technology in dozens of different industries. Despite the hurdles still to come though, it's expected that the drone market will be driven by delivery uses other commercial uses.
