How Drones are used to fight Covid-19

In the face of global COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reported to be attempts by different countries and organizations in utilizing drone technology. However, these are not at scale and they’ve mainly occurred sporadically. This brief guidance note provides analysis on publicly available information regarding how drones could be utilized during this time period by looking into four main areas that illustrate some considerations for their assistance with COVID-19 response efforts: communication capability enhancement; situational awareness generation; delivery of medical supplies or equipment; and airborne surveillance platforms.

Let’s find out how drones are being use in the current global crisis.

How are drones currently helping to combat COVID-19 globally?

1. TRANSPORTATION: Drones are used to pick-up and deliver lab samples, as well as transport medical supplies. This innovative way of transportation reduces the exposure risks for disease carriers while ensuring that the delivery is on time.

COVID-19 pandemic has successfully pushed drone delivery to the forefront of information technology. In eighteen countries, drones have been deployed for medical supplies and samples during this disaster. Some did it with experimentation like Rwanda while others used drones as a vital part of their transportation system such as Ghana or Malawi. The three African countries all had operations before COVID-19 but were able due to the crisis use them more often than they otherwise would’ve done so because of how easily accessible these drones are in rural areas where many people live who need medical care that is sometimes unable to be rendered by humans on time.

2. AERIAL SPRAYING: Drones are deployed for aerial spraying in order to disinfect potentially contaminated areas and keep people safe when there is an outbreak. Public places such as parks are sprayed by drones to prevent contamination.

Drones are being used as a way to combat the spread of viruses in public outdoor spaces. In China, UAE, Spain and other countries drones were utilized for aerial spraying disinfectant chemicals which some companies claim helped cover 3km2 of an area with chemical sprays. Scientific evidence suggest that this method is ineffective because it has little scientific grounding or effectiveness after close examination by experts over longer periods

a drone program was implemented last year at San Diego State University (SDSU) campus where students have been trained how to use these machines safely during emergency situations like fires on-campus or if someone needs help outside the school premises. Early data released from SDSU showed that their first ever responders reached 94% faster than fire fighters.

3. SURVEILLANCE: Drones are being used by the government in order to survey and monitor public space. They have been set up after lockdown or quarantine procedures were put into place, such as during pandemic outbreaks.

Drones are becoming more and more popular in the law enforcement world. In countries such as Sierra Leone, Rwanda, China, United States of America (USA), Spain, Italy France UK India etc., drones have been used to monitor public spaces from a better vantage point and enforce quarantines by sending messages over loudspeakers or tracking non-compliant citizens with video surveillance technology. The potential for responders having direct contact with infected people is reduced because they can broadcast their voice message remotely through drone’s speakers which also contain two cameras so that it captures what’s happening on each side simultaneously .

4. BROADCASTS: Drones are being used to broadcast information about lockdown measures, especially in rural areas that lack open communication channels for health and safety information.

Authorities have been using drones fitted with loudspeakers to broadcast messages about what people should do during the lockdown, especially in rural areas that lack open communication channels for health information. The drones are also used as a way of spreading public announcements and important information quickly over large distances without having to use cell phone towers or other physical infrastructure.

5. TEMPERATURE CHECK: Drones are being used to measure the temperature of people who have been placed under lockdown during covid-19.

One issue that has arisen is determining whether or not it’s safe for responders and aid workers to enter these situations, as they may contract a lethal virus while in proximity with those infected…or even become infected themselves. With drones equipped with infrared cameras from companies like Intel Corporation, we can now see at what temperatures bodies start varying colors which will help authorities determine how imminent an outbreak really is.

BOTTOMLINE:

Drones are a great way to provide low-cost, high quality solutions for companies in the COVID-19 crisis. Drone technology is still new and has some limitations that need further exploration before it can be fully utilized. It’s also important not just to look at drones from an efficiency perspective but also consider their impact on people who will use them as well as maintain them long term.

The use of drones in the transportation of lab samples and medical supplies has not yet had a major impact on society. However, there are countries that have been able to quickly deploy their drone programs due to enabling factors such as regulation and broader support for this type of technology.

The use of technology is not easily scaled without building the appropriate support system and enabling environment. In order to operationalize drones for pandemics or, in general, health supply chain work, it becomes crucial to create an environment that will enable their operation. Technology sourcing and service provider selection needs also be guided through a rigorous procurement process with quality assurance measures set up beforehand so as not to cause any delays down the line.

Building a support system focusing on essential aspects:

1. It is essential that financial and human resources is in place so that when a drone is needed it’s available. This can be obtained through service contracts or by having local organizational capacity to run drone operations; additionally, international movement restrictions for health care supplies must also be considered;
2. When companies are considering procurement options, they should try to find a service with agility, sustainability and compliance. They can do this by finding the most cost-efficient option that offers quality (service and technology);
3. The implementation of a drone program is dependent on the skills and capacity that are available locally. The key to success in implementing this new technology lies with education, knowledge transfer and exposure at all levels-from those who can run operations for drones right up until government entities and health sector personnel which will be its ultimate end-users;
4. Drone operation can be tricky to navigate as they must abide by all local state regulations that allow them and the user needs a permit for commercial usage in most cases. However, it’s possible with an FAA Section 333 Exemption if you have your paperwork filled out correctly beforehand or otherwise need on-site permission from air traffic control (ATC);
5. Local sensitization should occur before or at the same time as the drone program itself-this ensures local social acceptance by educating people about what’s happening with new developments such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) usage. This also heightens awareness among citizens which may lead to increased trust if done correctly, ensuring any negative consequences like privacy invasions from UAVs;
6. The drone integration into the health supply chain has to be shaped and determined by the design of existing healthcare system, taking into consideration that drones are solving a problem in an efficient manner. However, it will depend on which other transportation modalities are in play currently; what purpose they serve; and if drone implementation would be cost-effective enough to justify its inclusion into health supply chain operations.