Forget Pie in the sky, Drones

are saving Lives

Submitted by
Bittu Kumar
Roll no A16
Reg No 11806240
 Introduction
• Zipline is an American medical product delivery company that
designs, builds, and operates drone aircrafts.
• The company operates distribution centers in Rwand and Ghana.
• In 2016, the company signed a deal with the Rwandan government to
build a distribution center near Muhanga.
• The company began drone Deliveries in Rwanda in 2016 and primarily
delivers blood.
• Zipline Second-generation drone was listed in Times "Best inventions
of 2018" list.
 Where it all Start
• Keller Rinaudo met a graduate student at Health Institute in Tanzania.
• Student had Build a Mobile Alert system for health workers to text
emergency request for medicine and vaccine.
• Having already founded Silicon Valley – Zipline, Rinaudo discovered its
mission.
• Rwanda had taken a more positive attitude toward their application.
• Rwanda struggled in having a proper road ways around their country
as their place was hilly.
• Government asked the help of Zipline for trying to fix their problem.
 Delivery Services
• Zipline started their service in October 2016.
• Many Remote clincs can now order life saving medicines and vacines
via text message.
• As of now Zipline drones has flown over 300,000 miles.
• As of now Drone Delivery can help provide help and send out any
important medicines and vaccines which was not possible in earlier
times.
• This is just a start for Zipline as Rwanda is just its first market.
• In April the Company unveiled world fastest drone which can fly over
80 miles per hr and carry upto 1.75kg of cargo.
 Work in Rural Area
• Zipline made neighbouring Tanzia almost 40 times the size of rwana
with most of the people living in rural area.
• It has received numerous backing of venture capital firms.
• It is also set to launch back home in the US.
• With being provided in more rural area it is helping and saving more
life.
• Drone delivery can not just be a special in Rwanda and can expand
into other areas as well.
 Problems faced by drones
• Many lawmakers feel it will not solve the nation’s most pressing
healthcare problems.
• For Example if you need to have drones deliver blood because of poor
road network, why not build roads instead?
• High Cost and may be sometimes not as useful as a real hospital.
• Drones cant replace actual Ambulance or healthcare workers but only
complement them.
• There might be various legal and privacy issues which can be
problematic.
 Conclusion
• Zipline had helped a Rwanda a hilly nation situated in Africa.
• As Rwanda didn’t have problem road ways transportation they opted
for Zipline Drones for any Health Emergency issues.
• Many Clinics which are situated in rural parts of Rwanda can now
place an order for live saving medicines and vaccines.
• Drones being Faster way of Transportation can really save some lifes.
• Drones may one day make everyone’s life easier by providing various
commercial needs.
 Reference
• https://flyzipline.com/
• https://time.com/rwanda-drones-zipline/
• https://dronelife.com/2019/05/21/how-zipline-became-a-1-2-billion-
drone-company/
• https://www.alphr.com/the-future/1004520/droning-on-the-
challenges-facing-drone-delivery