Independent.ie report that a medicine delivery trial by Manna Aero drones has been greenlighted by the Irish Aviation Authority. Manna Aero are the same company that just over a month ago promised to commence fast food delivery trials using drones in Dublin’s UCD, before rolling the service out nationwide.
The medical delivery tests are to take place in Moneygall, otherwise famous for claiming to be the ancestral village of former US president Barack Obama.
“It makes us very proud to be able to contribute to the Covid-19 effort in some small way and lift a few spirits while we do it,” said Bobby Healy, founder of Manna Aero. The company said that it would be a “safe and zero human-contact” system to effect deliveries “in ways normal delivery can’t”.
Manna Aero is depending on the IAA to grant it permission for wider commercial drone flights. The company must prove that its craft are safe to routinely fly over roads and residential areas.
Its first mainstream trial with fast food delivery service ‘Just Eat’ was to take place on March 18th on the campus of Dublin’s University College Dublin. However, the company had to postpone the launch due to coronavirus restrictions. It has promised to review a launch possibility later this month.
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