Delivering supplies to Africans is a struggle because of the continent’s lack of roads and bridges.
Architect Norman Foster has proposed a solution. The Droneport project will carry cargo to remote areas by traversing mountains, lakes, rivers, and desert by unmanned aircraft, as World Architecture Community reports.
The drones can carry goods to places more than 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, away. The plan consists of two network services. The Redline will have smaller drones that will transport medical supplies, and the Blueline will be larger aircraft that will ship electronics, spare parts, and e-commerce.
The drones will land in structures called Droneports, which not only will store drones but also house health clinics, digital fabrication shops, and post and courier rooms.
The project is a collaboration between Redline partners led by Afrotech, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the Norman Foster Foundation, and Foster + Partners.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Aug 24, 2015
British company OpenDesk offers open-sourced office furniture
Offices can “download” their furniture to be made locally, anywhere.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 24, 2015
Google develops Google Maps for solar energy
The tool offers high-resolution aerial maps, like the one used in Google Earth, to estimate the total sunlight a rooftop receives throughout the year.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Aug 20, 2015
Part II - Will BIM Work as a Deliverable? A Legal Perspective on BIM
Having the right counsel on your team can be the difference between long drawn-out negotiations and breaking new ground to meet the owner’s needs.
BIM and Information Technology | Aug 17, 2015
Reimagined cursors can change digital imaging
A University of Montreal professor has developed a system that elevates 2D cursors for a 3D world.
BIM and Information Technology | Aug 6, 2015
After refueling its capital tank, WeWork acquires BIM consultant Case
The merger is expected to help standardize how WeWork designs and builds out office space.
Giants 400 | Aug 6, 2015
BIM GIANTS: Robotic reality capture, gaming systems, virtual reality—AEC Giants continue tech frenzy
Given their size, AEC Giants possess the resources and scale to research and test the bevy of software and hardware solutions on the market. Some have created internal innovation labs and fabrication shops to tinker with emerging technologies and create custom software tools. Others have formed R&D teams to test tech tools on the job site.
Smart Buildings | Aug 5, 2015
8 cities win Bloomberg's 'open data' award
The competition, called "What Works Cities," promotes innovation in city government by making the massive amounts of city operations data more publicly accessible to better improve issues like job creation, public health, and blight.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 5, 2015
FacadeRetrofit.org: A new database for tracking commercial and multifamily façade upgrades
The site allows users to submit information about new projects, or supplement information on those already posted.
BIM and Information Technology | Aug 4, 2015
Augmented reality app provides step-by-step help for repairing equipment
The developers of Remote AR have discovered a new application for AR technology that could apply to all types of industries, including commercial buildings.
BIM and Information Technology | Jul 29, 2015
Tenn. startup uses freeform 3D printer to build full-size walls
Branch Technology used the world’s largest freeform printer, one that has an arm that prints objects in open space, to make the lightweight yet incredibly sturdy lattice structures.
