You know that, if you can, donating blood is something that everyone should do.

That’s because a blood transfusion can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.

In an innovative move, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), in conjunction with the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS), have launched a plan to use drones to ensure that blood gets where it needs to be as fast as possible.

Here’s Business Insider:

A TRON Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) took off from the North Eastern Radio Flyers in Sandton, and landed safely, with fake blood, a few minutes later. In the not so distant future South Africa could see similar flights, this time with real blood, from banks to hospitals. The drones could reach remote areas of South Africa in emergencies.

You can see the drones in action here:

SANBS believe that this could be a game changer in the medical industry. Blood can be delivered to hospitals as far as 100 kilometres away from blood banks.

“We believe that this is an innovative step in the history of blood transfusions. SANBS is determined to improve rapid access to life-saving blood products in rural areas through the use of drone technology,” said Dr Jonathan Louw, CEO of the SANBS.

“Our concept is globally unique in that we will provide two-way logistics; patients can receive emergency “O negative” blood from one of our blood banks via drone. The same drone can then take that patient’s blood sample to the blood bank for comprehensive cross-matching and then safely and rapidly deliver compatible blood back to the patient.”

The UAV will also fly at an altitude of 100 metres without having to navigate traffic, making it more effective and less costly than employing a helicopter for the same task.

As tech advances, drones are becoming even more sophisticated.

If they’re used for good, as is the case here, I could suspend my distrust of all things robotic and get behind this.

[source:businessinsider]