Why Bhutan Might Get Drone Delivery Copters Before Seattle Does

From Quartz comes the story of a Silicon Valley start-up trying to kickstart a delivery system using package-laden drones to overfly gridlocked traffic — in Bhutan. Bhutanese roads are slow, the weather can be brutal, and there are very few physicians to go around. That’s why, earlier this year, the Bhutanese government and the World Health Organization reached out to Matternet, a Palo Alto company backed by some big name American investors that develops transportation networks using unmanned aerial vehicles to reach hard-to-access places. ... The project in Bhutan, however, is the first big test for the startup. Matternet is aiming to build a network of low-cost quadcopters to connect the country’s main hospitals with rural communities. Matternet uses small quadcopters that can carry loads of about four pounds across 20 km at a time, to and from pre-designated landing stations. The company is able to track these flights in real-time, and aims to eventually deploy fully-automated landing stations that replace drone batteries, giving them extended range and flight time. The drones it uses typically cost between $2,000-5,000.

Comments

The weather is brutal

[Anonymous Coward]

If there's one thing that works flawlessly in brutal weather, it's aircraft.

Re:The weather is brutal

[i kan reed]

From wikipedia:
 

As with other roads in Bhutan, the Lateral Road presents serious safety concerns due to pavement conditions, sheer drops, hairpin turns, weather and landslides

.

I think perhaps the problem is perhaps that weather knocks out mountain roads, and so supplies can't be delivered until they're repaired.

Re:Great for dealing drugs

[Em Adespoton]

Seems like this method of delivery would be great for dealing drugs, or smuggling drugs across international borders. This is exactly why we need to keep very strict regulation on these things - way too much potential for abuse and illegal activity.

For that price and that payload, I'm pretty sure these are already being used. After all, if they're using autonomous submarines, these would be significantly cheaper, simpler, and less of a hit should one be intercepted. Strict regulations are only effective for people operating within the law (not above or below it).

Re:People steal WIRE

[geekoid]

So people you deem as poor are also automatically thieves?
Nice.

Re:Great for dealing drugs

[6ULDV8]

The activities you describe are already illegal. It's naughty to kill people too, but adding more laws won't affect people that refuse to follow laws that already exist.

Using the logic you've proposed, we should outlaw computers too. Or even pencils. I've heard tales of pencils being used to write secret notes of illegal activity.

Re:People steal WIRE

[Archangel Michael]

Poor is in the eye of the beholder, and doesn't breed anything. Consumerism breeds envy, and envy breeds desperation (keeping up with the Jones'). If someone has what they have always known, there is NO envy, no desire to steal.

Good job Racist Elitist .

Re:Umm, didn't they mention bad weather

[Anonymous Coward]

During the storm? Like crap. After the storm, when all the roads are washed out? Much better than road dependent vehicle.