We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » How Zipline is using emerging technology to save lives
Forward Thinking

How Zipline is using emerging technology to save lives

October 2, 2018
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

Keller Rinaudo, chief executive officer and founder of Zipline, which uses drones to deliver medicine, blood, and other basic medical supplies, issued a bit of a challenge to the 3,000 supply chain managers attending the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals EDGE 2018 Conference. During his keynote address on Tuesday, Rinaudo emphasized that "There is a moral imperative to make supply chains work for everyone, not just the 10 percent of people who live in the right countries."

Zipline is doing its part to answer that call. The company uses 40-pound autonomous aircraft to deliver blood to hospitals across Rwanda, bypassing the country's poor road system. The aircraft are launched from a catapult-like structure on top of Zipline's distribution center. They then fly at 30 feet across a varied landscape and through all types of weather before dropping paper parachutes carrying boxed blood to hospitals across rural Rwanda. The aircraft then return to the DC, where they are caught by a combination of guide wires attached to poles and an inflatable landing pad. "It's like a combination of an aircraft carrier and a bouncy castle," Rinaudo said.

It now takes five minutes from when the hospital orders the blood to when it is received. Zipline has succeeded in reducing blood waste to zero, while increasing access to the product by 170 percent, said Rinaudo.

"For the first seven days, people reacted to the deliveries like it was total science fiction," remembered Rinaudo. "It was as if Jesus Christ himself was delivering blood from the sky. But then it quickly became boring and old hat. One doctor called us because the delivery was a minute late. We are very proud of how boring we can be!"

The company is now working on pilot efforts in Ghana and rural North Carolina.

    • Related Articles

      Learning how to pivot is key to transforming your supply chain, CSCMP EDGE panel says

      How big is your carbon footprint? The U.K. wants to know

      Gartner says IoT technology is two to five years from “transformational” impact

    Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

    Data, analytics make the difference in managing carrier relationships

    U.S. faces permanent labor shortage, says University of Tennessee economist

    CSCMP records new podcast series on Jobs of Tomorrow at EDGE

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Wabash opens trailer manufacturing facility in Indiana

    • Six defining challenges of omnichannel fulfillment

    • Postal advocacy group says “excessive” July 9 stamp price hike will hurt consumers

    • California bill would require large corporations to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions

    • Panorays extends risk management throughout the digital supply chain

    Featured Video

    8757b894 244c 4429 b5d8 e6df7b479d82

    Penalties for Wood Packaging Material Violations

    Viewer Contributed
    Our Services Include: Customs Broker Denver Freight Forwarder Denver Global Logistics Denver Cargo Insurance Denver Customs Bond Denver Customs Clearance Denver Customs Duty Denver Isf Filing Denver More details: Phone : 281-445-9779 Email: info@gallaghertransport.com Website: gallaghertransport.com

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Five questions to ask before electrifying your indoor forklift fleet

    • Operator assist system myths busted

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    • The Complete Guide to Automated Packaging

    View More

    Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

    Get Your Subscription
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • E-NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing