Doctor Drone To The Rescue!

DRONES CAN DUST CROPS, spy on the neighbors, and even drop bombs in a war. Now engineers are looking for ways to put the remote-controlled unmanned aircraft to work treating sick people in any corner of the world. Here’s a look at their most promising health applications.

- Max Blau

Delivering Medication to Rural Americans

More than two years ago, as part of a study to demonstrate that such flights are safe, a group of research and health organizations flew the first drone approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to deliver medication. FAA regulations currently prevent operators from flying drones out of their line of sight, but organizations hope that restrictions will soon be lifted so they can create a regular service to bring medications for asthma, blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions to residents in isolated pockets of Appalachia.

Sending Blood to Surgeons In Remote Regions