UPS Takes Part In Drone Delivery Research
UPS Inc. said it is looking into using drone technology to deliver humanitarian aid to difficult-to-reach areas during a disaster scenario.
The company looked at different scenarios where drones could be used for delivery as well as deployment issues, regulatory implications and safety protocols.
The research was part of a study conducted on behalf of the American Red Cross and coordinated by Measure, a company that specializes in drone applications.
“UPS routinely develops and evaluates new technologies, including but not limited to drones, that aid deliveries to difficult to access locations,” Mitch Nichols, UPS senior vice president of transportation and engineering, said in a statement.
“We believe autonomous and semi-autonomous technology can solve a critical need for humanitarian logistics and effective crisis response,” Nichols said.
UPS examined data from a drone demonstration by Texas A&M University that simulated different relief and flight scenarios. The simulation in Disaster City, Texas, evaluated different drones for ranges as well as payloads.
The company also conducted interviews with officials in Washington state about the 2014 mudslides as well as with officials in New York and New Jersey about relief operations during Hurricane Sandy.
“We have been working with the American Red Cross and other relief organizations to improve the supply chain for humanitarian aid,” Nichols said.
“This is a long-standing area of focus for our company, and complements the work of the UPS Foundation. UPS personnel on numerous occasions have applied their expertise in logistics and supply chain management to solve global challenges.”
The company said it shared its findings with local, state and federal emergency managers, as well as with Congress and the Executive Branch.
UPS ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
How #drone technology is being used for humanitarian relief: http://t.co/OB452pKWJu pic.twitter.com/7Uuk6g5UlQ — UPS Longitudes (@UPSLongitudes) April 22, 2015
