Greek businessman Andreas Raptopoulos and his plans for drones which are "humanitarian" by transporting medical material to inaccessible areas, are at the center of its publication Guardian.
The idea of the possibilities arising from its drones in terms of one network παροχής ιατρικών προμηθειών προέκυψε πριν μια παρουσίαση στο Singularity University της Silicon Valley. The idea evolved into a startup called Matternet, which aims to help people who don't have access to roads all year round.
According to Mr. Raptopoulos, such a system could "overtake" it construction infrastructure, just as wireless networks "overtook" wired networks in developing countries. Small unmanned aerial vehicles with eight engines will be used for the transport of small objects, weighing up to two kilograms, years before the construction of modern road networks to interconnect areas.
The whole system will include the aircraft themselves, landing stations where the packets will be transferred and the software that will ensure their arrival at the destination. Due to the short life of the battery, the drones should work together: instead of a drone that will fly for 60 minutes, there will be six, each flying for 10 minutes.
Matternet has conducted trials in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
According to the Guardian, Matternet has tested trials in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Also, Lesotho, which is tested by an AIDS epidemic, has been identified as an area where the system could be used to transport samples to the countryside.
As Mr Raptopoulos notes, when one thinks of all the robotics companies in the world, he finds that there is not much that their first client would not come from the armed forces. "We will replace the military with the humanitarian," he stresses.
Most of Matternet's staff are in an office at Palo Alto, while others work from London. Four investors provided funding to the company, which plans to raise between three and five million dollars in the next round of funding.
As first-time users are "targeted" assistance services, as well as players in the field of pharmaceuticals and logistics. At the ideal level, bases and drones can be purchased from villages.
"Everyone can set up transport networks. They are decentralized. They do not need governments and big companies, "says the Greek businessman.
Regarding the cost, it is estimated at around 7.200 euros per aircraft and 3.600 euros per base. A network of five bases and 10 aircraft in one area, along with installation and training costs, would cost an aid agency about 108.000 euros, the report said, citing Mr. Raptopoulos' estimates. Such a drone will be able to carry load two kilos in a distance of 10 kilometers, in good weather.
