Drones carrying blood could be the future of rural medicine
A drone flew chilled human blood for 160 miles over the hot Arizona desert — smashing records for transport of biological samples on a remotely operated vehicle. The blood was still in good condition after the three-hour flight, which means that the growing role of drones in rural medical care really could have the potential to save lives.
For people who live in remote areas, going to the doctor or getting lab tests can be challenging. That’s why using drones to drop off medical supplies or pick up blood samples for testing could be a game-changer. Some companies, like California-based Zipline, have been in the game for a few years, delivering blood for transfusions by drone in Rwanda, and soon in Tanzania.
As the technology becomes…
