flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Norman Foster proposes 'drone ports' as a way to ship goods across Africa

BIM and Information Technology

Norman Foster proposes 'drone ports' as a way to ship goods across Africa

The structures would store cargo-shipping drones and serve as community centers.


By Mike Chamernik, Associate Editor | September 16, 2015
Norman Foster proposes Droneports as way to ship goods across Africa

Droneport renderings courstey Foster + Partners (via World Architecture Community)

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

BIM and Information Technology | Mar 11, 2015

Google plans to use robots, cranes to manipulate modular offices at its new HQ

Its visions of “crabots” accentuate the search-engine giant’s recent fascination with robotics and automation.

Museums | Mar 5, 2015

A giant, silver loop in Dubai will house the Museum of the Future

The Sheikh of Dubai hopes the $136 million museum will serve as an incubator for ideas and real designs—a global destination for inventors and entrepreneurs.

BIM and Information Technology | Mar 4, 2015

Why China's CCTV building needed a WiFi retrofit

It took a year-long retrofit to get WiFi transmission issues solved at China's iconic skyscraper.

Energy Efficiency | Mar 4, 2015

DOE launches crowdsourcing website for technology innovators

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory launched a new crowdsourcing website called the Buildings Crowdsoucing Community to collect and share ideas by innovators for energy-efficient technologies to use in homes and buildings.

Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Mar 3, 2015

The great debate: Is 3D PDF really BIM?

You can pull apart buildings, cut through floors, and view simulated animation for assembly instructions all within a PDF.

BIM and Information Technology | Feb 23, 2015

9 best practices for effective laser scanning

JE Dunn’s National BIM Director, Trent Nichols, offers tips and advice for mastering the art of laser scanning.

BIM and Information Technology | Feb 10, 2015

Google's 3D scanning camera leaves the lab

Google is said to be partnering with LG to create a version of the technology for public release sometime this year.

BIM and Information Technology | Feb 8, 2015

BIM for safety: How to use BIM/VDC tools to prevent injuries on the job site

Gilbane, Southland Industries, Tocci, and Turner are among the firms to incorporate advanced 4D BIM safety assessment and planning on projects.

Architects | Feb 5, 2015

Toy around with Ittyblox's ultra-detailed building blocks

For Lego fanatics, time is no object when building a model. For those of us with a little less time, Ittyblox is a good solution.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021