Posted by Roger Lee on September 15, 2008 at 1:03am
I saw this and, whereas it's not exactly news, it is the best article I've seen on this particular application.http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14718-robot-spyplanes-get-new-role-as-medical-couriers.htmlOddly, the design they've gone with (flying wing) isn't perhaps the most obvious one - I'd have thought a fuselage would've made more sense, although perhaps urgent medical supplies are always really small :) 500 grams doesn't allow for much blood, for instance.It seems to me that this is an area where UAVs, open source, and benefiting humanity could all come together, if that isn't too high an ideal.The skills in this place could produce a better design than this, and at a MUCH lower price, a not unimportant consideration when spending aid money.Robot carrier pigeons? It seems so obvious now :-)
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They've been experimenting with two aircraft - I believe the little wing is being viewed for transporting dried spots of blood and spit on cards (very low mass and small size), and the larger electric push glider is the one with the 500g cargo bay which can be used for medication and blood samples.
I'm thinking of a similar idea where the UAV will circle a remote location, exchange messages with a ground station over a short range radio link (<500ft) then fly home.
As I say, legislation is the hurdle... I understand that at the moment the South African trial cannot fly over properties or roads.
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http://www.nhls.ac.za/about_news.html
They've been experimenting with two aircraft - I believe the little wing is being viewed for transporting dried spots of blood and spit on cards (very low mass and small size), and the larger electric push glider is the one with the 500g cargo bay which can be used for medication and blood samples.
I'm thinking of a similar idea where the UAV will circle a remote location, exchange messages with a ground station over a short range radio link (<500ft) then fly home.
As I say, legislation is the hurdle... I understand that at the moment the South African trial cannot fly over properties or roads.
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