Drones from Chinese company DJI are contributing in the fight against coronavirus. DJI has pledged almost $1.5m in aid to help contain the outbreak of the virus.

The Agras drones, originally designed for agricultural use, are being used in China to spray chlorine or ethyl alcohol-based disinfectants in potentially affected areas. Targeted areas include factories, residential areas, hospitals and waste treatment plants, spanning over 600 million square metres across the country.

Drones for spraying present many critical advantages, especially in emergency situations; they can be up to 50 times faster than traditional methods while keeping operators in a safety zone. Drones are also simple to use and relatively inexpensive.

DJI drones have also been used to communicate with the public quickly; loudspeakers mounted on the drones have helped to diffuse messages in crowded areas. In particular, people have been reminded of the best ways to prevent further spreading of the virus.

Thermal cameras have also been used to monitor body temperatures so that medical operators can quickly identify new potential cases.

Drone delivery could be another important asset for governments in affected countries, reducing the opportunities for person-to-person infection while supplying affected households with medicines, supplies and food.

DJI has already demonstrated its commitment to using drones to serve the public with its #DronesForGood movement. With its contribution to the coronavirus, DJI says it is showing new ways in which drones can make a big difference in facing major problems around the world.

“Assisting on the containment of a disease while ensuring safety to per