Drones continue to be a prominent trend in the logistics industry, with the UK government announcing successful medical drone delivery trials in Scotland.
Described by officials as the 'next era of aviation,' these medical drone delivery trials are being spearheaded by Aberdeen International Airport.
The initiative, known as Project CAELUS, has received over £7 million in government funding to accelerate drone development across various industries.
In a Scottish first, laboratory samples were transported by drone from Edinburgh to Melrose.
This journey, which typically takes up to 5 hours by road, can now be completed in as little as 35 minutes using drone technology, according to CAELUS.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane, during his first official visit to the region, dubbed the trial a "technological revolution."
Kane met with Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports – operators of Aberdeen International Airport – to commemorate the airport's 90th anniversary.
In addition to Project CAELUS, the Minister is expected to review a series of measures aimed at enhancing regional connectivity across the UK.
Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane said: “Aberdeen has demonstrated what the next era of aviation can look like with its successful medical drone delivery trials.
“I want to help all players in the industry across the country to embrace these innovative solutions that enhance regional connectivity and pave the way for a more sustainable future.”
Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports, added: “Fostering innovation is one of the ways we can achieve this and through Project CAELUS we have a real opportunity to revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered across Scotland.
We have already seen medical drone logistics being used in the UK, an example being Skyfarer who work with University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) to deliver medical supplies via drones.
Skyfarer founder Elliot Parnham spoke to The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) explaining the intricacies of how this type of technology works.
Elliot discussed the delivery process and explained that when the company receives a request, they fly over to one hospital, pick up whatever needs to be transported and deliver them to another hospital before heading back for the next mission.
The drone deliveries often include pathology samples or other urgent contents such as blood.
Elliot said: “We've set up designated landing spaces at the hospitals, and we use an app interface to let hospital staff know when to expect the package. We've also got cameras on-site for safety checks.
“It's all about making the process safer and more efficient, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on what they do best while we handle the logistics.”
Skyfarer’s operations with UHCW follow this hub-and-spoke model, with a hub strategically placed between Coventry and Rugby, where the hospitals are located.
Elliot underlined that the company make sure drone routes are well-thought-out and controlled for safety and reliability.
Skyfarer also have emergency landing points in place, ensuring they're sanitised and ready to go if needed.
“Right now, we're mainly focusing on that ‘middle mile’ of delivery, where we can make the biggest impact in terms of cost, time, compliance, and safety,” added Elliot.
To learn more about Elliot's journey in medical logistics, read CILT UK's full interview here: Gianluca Spataro sits down with Elliot Parnham, Founder of medical drones start-up Skyfarer for Focus.