How we're using drones to deliver blood and save lives | Keller Rinaudo

Summary

This powerful TED talk highlights how Rwanda is at the forefront of technological innovation, using Zipline’s autonomous drones to revolutionize medical delivery. The speaker challenges the misconception that Africa lags behind in technology, demonstrating how Rwanda’s government partnered with Zipline to deliver critical medical supplies, including blood, to remote hospitals. The talk emphasizes the role of local entrepreneurship in solving global health challenges and showcases how technology can leapfrog traditional infrastructure. Through impactful stories of life-saving deliveries, the speaker argues that Africa is not only a recipient of aid but can lead in global technological disruption.

Takeaways

• 😀 Africa is not technologically backward; it is a leader in innovation, embracing cutting-edge solutions to tackle critical problems.
• 😀 Zipline, a robotics company, uses electric autonomous aircraft to deliver medical supplies, such as blood, to hospitals in Rwanda.
• 😀 Rwanda's partnership with Zipline has enabled the country to provide 20% of its national blood supply via drones, reducing waste and improving access.
• 😀 The drone system delivers blood in 20 to 30 minutes, solving challenges related to short shelf life and unpredictable demand for blood.
• 😀 Rwanda's approach to blood delivery has resulted in zero units of blood expiring in hospitals, a result not seen anywhere else in the world.
• 😀 The system was designed to deliver life-saving blood to hospitals in emergency situations, saving lives like that of a mother who was stabilized after severe hemorrhaging.
• 😀 Innovation in Africa has global implications, as demonstrated by Rwanda's model being replicated in Tanzania with a larger-scale autonomous delivery system.
• 😀 Rwanda's drone network is a springboard for broader economic growth, enabling innovation in other sectors like agriculture and e-commerce.
• 😀 All Zipline distribution center teams are locally hired and trained, ensuring the benefits of this technology stay within local communities.
• 😀 Entrepreneurship, not foreign aid, is the key to lifting millions of people out of poverty, with developing economies like Africa leading technological change.

Q & A

What is the main misconception people have about technology in Africa?

Many people believe that advanced technology cannot thrive in Africa and that the best way to help the continent is by providing aid or services. This attitude overlooks Africa's potential for technological innovation.

What is Zipline, and how does it operate?

Zipline is a company that uses electric autonomous aircraft to deliver medical supplies, such as blood, to hospitals and health centers. It operates autonomously, delivering blood in as little as 20-30 minutes, and has scaled its system in Rwanda to deliver a significant portion of the country's blood supply.

Why is blood delivery so challenging in Rwanda and other countries?

Blood delivery is challenging due to its short shelf life, strict storage requirements, and difficulty in predicting demand. In emergencies, it’s crucial to have blood readily available, but storing large amounts at hospitals can result in waste.

How has Zipline's system helped solve blood delivery challenges in Rwanda?

Zipline has enabled Rwanda to centralize blood storage and deliver it on demand. This system ensures that blood is only delivered when needed, minimizing waste and ensuring hospitals never run out of essential supplies.

How does Zipline's technology ensure reliability in blood deliveries?

Zipline uses autonomous aircraft that communicate via cellular networks to track their location and performance. The deliveries are completed with precision, and the blood packages are safely delivered using a simple paper parachute.

What impact has Zipline had on blood waste in Rwanda's healthcare system?

Since Zipline’s implementation, Rwanda has managed to avoid blood wastage at hospitals. Despite an increase in blood use, no blood has expired at any of the hospitals served by Zipline.

Can you describe a specific example of Zipline saving a life?

One notable case involved a mother who hemorrhaged after a C-section. The hospital received several emergency deliveries from Zipline, ultimately providing the necessary blood to save her life and that of her baby.

How is Zipline contributing to economic development in Africa?

By creating an advanced logistical network, Zipline is not only improving healthcare but also enabling other sectors like agriculture and e-commerce to grow. Additionally, the company hires local teams, contributing to job creation and skills development in Africa.

Why is Africa in a strong position to leapfrog older technological systems?

Africa can bypass outdated infrastructure and move directly to newer technologies. Just as mobile networks quickly spread across the continent, advanced technologies like Zipline's delivery system are being rapidly adopted in East Africa.

What are the broader implications of Zipline's success in Rwanda for the rest of Africa?

Rwanda’s success with Zipline has set a precedent for other African countries, like Tanzania, which is now planning to implement similar technology on a larger scale. This demonstrates that Africa can be a leader in disruptive technologies, particularly in healthcare logistics.