Three companies test drones over Massachusetts to deliver medical supplies
BOSTON (WWLP) – Three companies tested their drones in Massachusetts to fly small packages to aid in the timely, cost-effective delivery of medical supplies.
In a news release from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division, medical delivery demonstrations took place between August and October 2024. This included transporting packages of up to 10 pounds using drones (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems), for the use of home-based healthcare and emergency medical response in the future.
The flight tests were deemed successful as the participants' drones carried simulated payloads for at least one mile, one way.
Is that a drone or a plane? How to spot the differences
In support of MassDOT, the aeronautics team currently uses its drones to improve transportation safety, such as infrastructure inspection and incident response in partnership with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
'This medical delivery demonstration underscores the value of drones for many operational needs,' said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. 'Drones have already proven useful in operations, including MBTA track corridor inspections, MassDOT Highway bridge inspections, overhead project evaluations, and other needs. We continue to assess the use of drones for other purposes in the future.'
'This demonstration project reflects our commitment to exploring the use of drones to meet critical needs, such as the timely, cost-effective delivery of supplies and devices for health care and emergency management, across the Commonwealth,' said MassDOT Aeronautics Acting Administrator Denise Garcia.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Should Massachusetts keep religious exemptions to vaccine mandates?
BOSTON (WWLP) – Passionate testimony rang out in the State House on Friday from parents, children, and physicians on both sides of the vaccine mandates for school children debate. The State House's public health committee heard testimony on multiple vaccine bills, including an extremely contentious piece of legislation that would eliminate religious exemptions to vaccine mandates in schools. Proponents of this bill see it as a way to close a loophole and keep kids safe in schools. Will you be able to get a COVID-19 shot? Here's what we know so far One doctor told 22News that she wants to work with families to ensure they feel comfortable with vaccines, while still pushing to ensure all children are protected. 'We know that children need a cocoon of immunity around them, whether they're infants, or in kindergarten, or in sixth grade,' said Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, a pediatrician. For every enthusiastic advocate for getting rid of the religious exemption, there was an equally passionate advocate to keep it. These parents and doctors testified that disallowing parents from choosing to exempt their children from vaccination is a violation of their freedoms, and only serves to keep deserving children out of school. 'Public health policy should support and empower, not harm and humiliate,' said Dr. Sylvia Fogle, a psychiatrist. Those speaking against the bills say the total harm of their passage would far outweigh their speculative benefit. Those who testified pro-vaccine say that claim is based on misinformation. The conversation around vaccine exemptions is especially relevant as the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services has voiced consistent support for getting rid of mandates. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ticks becoming more active as weather heats up
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The weather is getting warmer and the bugs are really coming out. Over the years, the tick population has increased dramatically and it's important to protect yourself from them. As the weather gets warmer, more and more of us are spending time outside. Ticks tend to be very active this time of year, and they can carry dangerous and even deadly diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Powassan. So it's important to avoid areas where they could be. Mosquito activity: Effective ways to prevent bites 'Keeping your yard mowed, keeping things from becoming overgrown, and just avoiding those areas. If you're hiking, sticking to the middle of the trail. Don't veer off to where the vegetation is tall because that's where the ticks are hiding,' said Natasha Wright of Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. If you're going into a wooded area, you should wear pants and long sleeves and light colors so you can more easily spot any ticks that may be on you. You should also use tweezers to remove it and not squash the tick, because that could help spread disease if the tick has it WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Cooley Dickinson Hospital's remodel boosts ER capacity by 40%
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Renovations are almost complete at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. In just a matter of weeks, patients will be treated in a remodeled and new facility. Northampton Concert Series announced for 2025 On Thursday, the hospital welcomed local leaders and donors to tour a new addition to the emergency department. The renovations are set to better serve the community. Dr. Sunny Shukla, Associate Chief Medical Officer, told 22News, 'We have a CT scanner embedded into our ER instead of having to take a few-minute walk over to the CT scanner; there's one in the actual ED. We have trauma-based based here, we have a resuscitation room, and a lot of privacy for patients now.' The emergency department will increase by 40%, creating shorter wait times, increasing patient privacy, enhancing behavioral health care, and even improving the coordination of care in the ER. Patients will be treated at the new addition as early as July. The full emergency department remodel is set to be completed by next February. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
