3 mts read
- Zipline an American medical product delivery company designs, builds and operates drone aircraft.
- It began its operations in Rwanda in 2016 primarily to deliver blood.
Drone technology has been gaining prominence as a tool to reach out to remote places to deliver critical medical supplies especially in case of emergencies. Zipline an American medical product delivery company designs, builds and operates drone aircraft. It began its operations in Rwanda in 2016 primarily to deliver blood. At the time, it was the first national drone delivery system. Rwanda is a mountainous country with poor road connections making an aerial delivery system more efficient and practical. Last year, it expanded operations to Ghana. Currently, it is using its drones to help respond to the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries.
The company has also set up its global training centre in Rwanda where a team of four certified locals has been training people from other countries like Ghana. the U.S. and other countries in flight and fulfillment operations
With Covid-19, drone technology shot up into global prominence and these tiny planes started playing a critical role in delivering urgent medical supplies and protective gear. Zipline has been striving to find a commercial foothold in the US for some time. With the spread of the pandemic, the US has given approval to, Zipline to operate drone flights to deliver necessary supplies and personal protective equipment in the US. Officials from the US have been getting training at the company’s global training centre in Rwanda. ‘Wealthier countries like the U.S. are actually using Rwanda as a role model.” Said an official from Zipline. Last week, Zipline sent drone operators from Rwanda to the United States to train their American counterparts as part of the process to kick off operations in the US. Imparting the needed skills to US counterparts is important to realize the company’s plan to penetrate the US market where the firm has its global headquarters.
