UPS-backed Rwandan blood deliveries show drones' promise, hurdles

A United Parcel Service (UPS) truck on delivery is pictured in downtown Los Angeles, California October 29, 2014.

RWANDA: International delivery company UPS is backing a start-up using drones in Rwanda to transport life-saving blood supplies and vaccines, underlining the wide potential for the unmanned aircraft and helping bring package delivery by drone to U.S. consumers a step closer.

U.S. companies are keen to use drones to cut delivery times and costs but hurdles range from smoothing communication between the autonomous robots and airplanes in America's crowded airspace to ensuring battery safety and longevity.