How drones have risen to the Covid-19 challenge
The use of drones to deliver medical supplies to remote areas during the pandemic has provided a compelling illustration of the technology's utility writes Jason Ford.
Covid-19 has given a relatively new type of aircraft a chance to flourish in an era of social distancing and in places where the disease has disrupted the delivery of supplies.
With varying degrees of efficacy, aerial drones have been used during the pandemic to spray disinfectant, broadcast messages to disperse crowds, monitor people’s temperatures and deliver medical supplies.
Indeed, with ferry services to the Isle of Wight curtailed, Solent Transport, Southampton University and Windracers embarked on a project to fly medical supplies to St Marys Hospital on the island with a drone.
The Windracers ULTRA (Unmanned Low-cost TRAnsport) UAV, capable of carrying 100kg but laden with loads of up to 40kg, completed the flight to the island on May 9 from Solent Airport, Hants, in 13 minutes.
In Scotland, UK drone delivery provider Skyports partnered with Thales SOARIZON to deliver COVID-19 test kits and PPE between two hospitals 10 miles apart in the Scottish Highlands.
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