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Chapter 16
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-8365-3.ch016
ABSTRACT
This article describes how a healthcare delivery drone has the potential for developing countries to
leapfrog the development of traditional transportation infrastructure. Inaccessible roads no longer will
prevent urgent delivery of blood, medications or other healthcare items. This article reviews the current
status of innovative drone delivery with a particular emphasis on healthcare. The leading companies in
this feld and their diferent strategies are studied. Further, this article reviews the latest decision models
that facilitate management decision making for operating a drone feet. The contribution in this article
of two new models associated with the design of a drone healthcare delivery networks will facilitate a
more timely, efcient, and economical drone healthcare delivery service to potentially save lives.
INTRODUCTION
There is a major new technology that is destined to be a disruptive force in the field of transportation:
the drone. Just as the mobile phone allowed developing countries to leapfrog older technologies for
personal communication, the drone has the potential to leapfrog traditional transportation infrastructure.
Drones are not dependent on a well-developed road infrastructure because they fly to their destination.
Drones are commonly known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (Choi-Fitzpatrick et al., 2016).
Alternative terms include Unmanned Aircraft (UA), Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA), Remotely
Piloted Vehicle (RPV) and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) (Clarke, 2014).
Models for Drone Delivery
of Medications and Other
Healthcare Items
Judy E. Scott
University of Colorado, USA
Carlton H. Scott
University of California, USA