Cleiton Michaque, a first-year electronic engineering student at Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, is developing a drone to deliver medicines and small parcels to remote or flood-hit areas. The idea came to him when he saw motorcyclists taking medicines to isolated communities in Maputo province, where rivers and poor roads make transport difficult.
The drone flies autonomously using GPS along a pre-programmed route, delivers its load and returns to its starting point. It can carry about three kilos, although tests are limited to two for safety, and flies for between 30 and 45 minutes. The goal is a range of 200 kilometres, but for now test flights cover around two kilometres.
He began building drones in 2019, while still a teenager, and has already made 14 for filming, mapping, racing and transport. Through his Centro de Criação e Controlo (Creation and Control Centre), he has trained 17 young people in piloting, programming and assembling drones.
Public and private companies have already shown interest in the project, and Cleiton is preparing a start-up for manufacturing, maintenance, sales and training. He is also thinking of continuing his studies on a scholarship, preferably in Portugal, because of the language.
