A civilian drone. Photo: Andia / UIG via Getty Images
"Drones could soon be ferrying blood and other medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in North Carolina if the N.C. Department of Transportation’s bid to be part of a federal test program is approved," the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
The big picture: "The North Carolina proposal is one of about 210 applications to the [FAA] Drone Integration Pilot Program, a three-year effort launched by the Trump administration last fall to test [commercial] drones."
- The North Carolina department "is leading a team of private companies that proposes to set up a network of distribution centers that would use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to make medical deliveries in North Carolina."
- "The drone delivery companies, including Matternet and Zipline, operate overseas but not in the U.S."