Zipline
Zipline
Zipline uses fixed wing drones to remotely deliver vaccines medicines and supplies.
Zipline is a delivery drone manufacturer that specializes in medical supplies delivery in remote locations in all weather conditions. Their drones or “Zips” are fixed-wing delivery drones that are currently serving up to 13,000 people in Rwanda (21 hospitals) and Ghana (more than 2,000 facilities). Their mission is to integrate their delivery system into the healthcare system and deliver life-saving medical products to remote hospitals or individuals in under 30 minutes. The Zip does not require a landing site at the delivery locations as the medical product is dropped by parachute into a designated landing zone, a target area of five meters in diameter, and then returns back to the distribution depot.
Zipline has expanded and devised additional applications in the US:
- US healthcare to provide on demand delivery for patients, either at home after a doctor virtual visit or if they need critical medication.
- Life sciences to give the opportunity to life sciences companies to reach patients beyond the usual urban areas and cover a wider range of population in studies.
- Covid-19 Response to provide vulnerable patients with critical medication.
- Defense and disaster response: to deliver life saving medical supplies in combat or disaster zones
Zipline, GAVI, UPS, and the Rwandan Ministry of Health
The implementation in Ghana cost around 12 million USD, according to the BBC, where 30 drones and 4 headquarters were deployed.
Drones are not available for sale, the company sells the whole service.
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Governments, NGOs, health care providers supporting remote communities, patients