Skyports and Thales have announced a partnership to trial medical drone deliveries in the Scotland.
“The aim of the trial, backed by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) – part of NHS Highland,” says a press release, “is to prove the delivery of urgent medical cargo, such as COVID-19 test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), between remote medical facilities by delivery drone.
“UK drone delivery provider Skyports will conduct the trial and operate the flights using delivery drones supplied by unmanned aircraft-maker Wingcopter, because of its proven capability through numerous delivery operations around the world.”
These trial flights will be planned through Thales’s drone operations management platform, SOARIZON, which offers digital tools to maintain compliant and safe drone flying operations.
“Based at Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban, the trial will consist of two-way flights between the hospital and Mull and Iona Community Hospital in Craignure 10 miles (16km) away on the Isle of Mull,” says the press statement. “This service will see delivery times cut from up to 6 hours one-way by ground transport and ferry to around 15 minutes, on-demand, by drone, bringing considerable savings in terms of time and resource cost, as well as keeping front line medical and delivery personnel safer.”
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(Image: Skyports/Wingcopter)