{"id":172349,"date":"2019-11-06T21:12:15","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T13:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geek.com\/featured\/-1809515\/"},"modified":"2019-11-06T21:12:15","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T13:12:15","slug":"ups-cvs-begin-delivering-prescriptions-via-drone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/test\/wordpress\/2019\/11\/06\/ups-cvs-begin-delivering-prescriptions-via-drone\/","title":{"rendered":"UPS, CVS Begin Delivering Prescriptions Via Drone"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
UPS Flight Forward attains FAA’s full approval for drone airline. (Photo Credit: UPS)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

UPS and CVS completed their first consumer drone deliveries, transporting medical prescriptions to two separate customers on Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both flights\u2014one directly to a consumer’s home, the other to a nearby retirement community\u2014were made using Matternet’s M2 UAV.<\/span><\/p>\n

That was quick, considering the companies only inked a deal<\/a> last month.<\/span><\/p>\n

UPS in September received government approval<\/a> to run a drone airline: The shipping company can fly pilotless aerial vehicles beyond human operators’ visual line of sight\u2014day or night.<\/span><\/p>\n

“This drone delivery, the first of its kind in the industry, demonstrates what’s possible for our customers who can’t easily make it into our stores,” Kevin Hourican, president of CVS Pharmacy, said in a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

“CVS is exploring many types of delivery options for urban, suburban, and rural markets,” he continued. “We see big potential in drone delivery in rural communities where life-saving medications are needed and consumers at times cannot conveniently access one of our stores.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Last week’s autonomous flights, monitored by a remote operator, launched from a CVS store in Cary, N.C. Hovering about 20 feet over the properties, the drone used a cable and winch to lower its cargo to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

One package was delivered to a customer whose limited mobility makes it difficult to travel to a store to pick up a prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n

The United Parcel Service previously partnered<\/a> with Matternet to operate daily UAV flights at WakeMed’s hospital campus in Raleigh, N.C.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advanced FAA authorizations, however, allow the international business to broaden its program beyond healthcare networks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Very few businesses have been given the green light under this permit, which is the same one Alphabet’s Wing received in April<\/a>. Amazon<\/a> and Uber Eats also applied for the designation, but have not yet received consent.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Part 135 Standard\u2014the FAA’s highest level of certifications\u2014the sky’s the limit, literally.<\/span><\/p>\n

UPS Flight Forward can fly as many drones with as many remote pilots as it wants; there are no limitations on the size or scope of proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n

More on Geek.com:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n