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“We’re just priming ourselves for what could be a great delivery service.
“My vision is we create a drone army that would be supplemental to the medical care that we deliver.”
Hawkins said initial test flights “are going great so far.”
Eden Valley, southwest of Calgary, will provide challenges due to distance and strong winds. Big Horn, in central Alberta, is even farther away and the terrain is more rugged and cell service more spotty.
“Our goal is to prove this technology locally and then we’ll move that Canada-wide potentially — to northern territories with truly remote environments — and then developing countries.”
Hawkins said the Alberta tests are to wrap up by next summer and the idea is drawing international attention.
“We’ve even had interest from the World Health Organization (WHO). They’re actually a funder now and they’re interested in seeing what we can do,” he said.
“They’re interested in some of the countries in Africa, primarily for delivery of medical supplies, but also COVID testing … (and) delivery of mobile medical equipment.”
Conly, who has been a senior technical adviser with the WHO’s COVID-19 response program, said the agency sees the potential.
“They were quite intrigued about the issue for vaccine delivery. They would be able to load up and deliver vaccine to remote villages for self-inoculation.”
The project is also testing smaller drones to send medical equipment, such as portable ultrasound devices, directly to patients, so a doctor could do remote examinations.
The Link LonkJanuary 03, 2021 at 12:14AM
https://thestarphoenix.com/news/national/sky-is-the-limit-pilot-project-using-drones-to-send-medical-supplies-covid-tests
'Sky is the limit:' Pilot project using drones to send medical supplies, COVID tests - Saskatoon StarPhoenix
https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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