Rural Medical Drone Tests Planned in Michigan, Taiwan

A northern Michigan pilot will expand medical drone testing from Oct. 6 to Oct. 30, with flights between Munson Medical Center and Crystal Lake Health Center simulating deliveries of supplies, lab samples and medications. The second phase adds longer flights, multiple drones and sensor technology after nearly 70 first-phase flights tested lab-sample transport within a one-mile radius; partners say the findings could help guide broader use of drones in rural health care. Separately, Taiwan’s New Taipei Fire Department and Chunghwa Telecom are developing drone delivery of emergency blood supplies to remote coastal and mountainous communities, with testing planned around cold-chain monitoring, flight tracking and on-site handoff.