Can Drones Make a Difference During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

 

With social distancing in effect to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies and groups are seeking ways to respond to needs without making human contact. Drones may be an answer. Ken Stewart, CEO of AiRXOS, GE Aviation, as well as Chris Todd, Executive Director, Airborne International Response Team, and Charles Warner, Director, Drone Responders Public Safety Alliance, joined in this episode of Drones in America with Grant Guillot to discuss the prospect.

Stewart referenced the recent mission of a Blackhawk to bring supplies and virus testing kits to a cruise ship in California. “A crew of at least 3 could potentially get exposed,” he said. With drones, he added “you could control exposure to the contaminant.” On top of this, there could be significant cost savings in deploying drones instead. Drones fit into public health and relief efforts because they are effective for “limiting human to human interactions, which is really important,” explained Todd.

Despite these benefits of using drones in response to issues like COVID-19, there are also many challenges. Warner pointed out that one challenge is finding ways for companies and organizations to “limit their exposure while maintaining their service.” As drones are new technologies, and emergencies are not the time for testing, exploratory missions and reviews are what is current in this field.

Experts in the drone industry are launching task forces and exploring “the realistic possibilities without interfering with operations happening today,” Warner said. For example, delivery of medications or the use of drones to see what’s happening in areas that dispatch has been called to are viable applications being considered.

Overall, the goal of drone organizations at this time is not to explore and deploy solutions to advance the industry, but to find ways to meet very real and pressing needs. Tune in to learn more.

Catch up on previous episodes right here!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Fiber Deployment
Connected America 2025: Smarter Planning and Partnerships Key to Maximizing Fiber’s Federal Funding and Impact
March 31, 2025

As the digital divide accelerates and fiber deployment sees growth, Connected America 2025 has emerged as a pivotal moment for infrastructure professionals. With over $42.5 billion earmarked through federal programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative, the U.S. is undergoing one of the most aggressive broadband expansion efforts in its history….

Read More
Workplace safety
Building a Skilled Trades Workforce: Certifications, Simulation-Based Training & Reskilling with SkillCat
March 31, 2025

Industries across the United States are facing an unprecedented shortage of a skilled trades workforce. With millions of baby boomers retiring and fewer young people entering the trades, sectors like HVAC, manufacturing, and construction are grappling with a critical need for talent. This labor shortage is further compounded by a lack of awareness and…

Read More
K-12 school
Tackling All That K-12 Schools Try to Do: The Solutions
March 31, 2025

As public confidence in major institutions continues to erode, the American K–12 education system finds itself straining under the weight of legacy expectations and modern demands. From grading and college recommendations to extracurriculars and character development, K-12 schools are tasked with a near-impossible mission: to do it all, for everyone. At the same time,…

Read More
wellness
The Rise of AI-Powered Wellness: Vitaquest Taps Big Data to Deliver Personalized Nutrition at Scale
March 31, 2025

The wellness industry is at an inflection point. What once centered around pill packs and generic supplement regimens is now being transformed by an ecosystem of personalization, flavor innovation, and data-driven development. According to research, the global nutraceuticals market is on track to surpass $919 billion by 2030—and with consumer demand increasingly favoring tailored,…

Read More