Major milestone in US unmanned aviation
After completing more than 3,000 flights for healthcare systems in Switzerland, the Californian drone technology provider Matternet is now partnering with UPS in the first Federal Aviation Administration sanctioned use of a drone for routine revenue flights involving the transport of a product under a contractual delivery agreement.
The program, a milestone for unmanned aviation in the USA, is taking place at the expanding health system of Wake Med’s flagship hospital and campus in the Raleigh NC metropolitan area, where the majority of medical samples and specimens are transported by courier cars.
The addition of drone transport provides an option for on-demand and same-day delivery, and the ability to avoid roadway delays, increase medical delivery efficiency, lower costs and improve patient experience. (ah)