UPS Expands Drone Operations for Disaster Relief

A short post created for an UPS employee sustainability engagement group intended to spark conversation and dialogue:

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, recovery and relief efforts have never been more pertinent.

Yet, Harvey has made it challenging or impossible for surveys to be conducted due to catastrophic-level flooding and other dangers.

Hence, The UPS Foundation- in partnership with the American Red Cross and drone manufacturer CyPhy Works, Inc., -- recently announced a drone pilot program, where a tethered drone will be utilized to assess the damage left by natural disasters. The drone will initially be used for a one-week, on-site test in an area that is badly damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Using advanced technology, the drone can be elevated up to 400 feet, and includes a 30X zoom camera.

You can learn more about this partnership here.