German drone maker Wingcopter and Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation and have successfully tested the delivery of research blood using drones in Okinawa, Japan. Partnering with ANA Holdings and the Japanese Red Cross, the trial spanned the 53-kilometer route between the cities of Urasoe and Nago, highlighting the promise of drone technology in improving medical logistics.
Okinawa’s geography, with 48 inhabited islands, presents unique challenges for traditional delivery methods. It is located in the southernmost part of Japan and is known for its high temperatures in the summer.
The Wingcopter 198, equipped with a specially designed transport container maintaining temperatures between 2 to 6 degrees Celsius, ensured the integrity of the blood. Dr. Hiroshi Fujita of Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital confirmed: “The types of blood transported were red blood cell fluid and whole blood. Both types of blood are likely to be used in disasters and emergencies. The quality of blood transported by drone was comparable to that of the non-flying (control) group.”
Flying the test route in as little as 32 minutes, the drones not only demonstrated efficiency but also adhered to Japan’s stringent “Guidelines for Transporting Medicines by Drones.” This success underscores the potential of drones to ensure timely and precise medical deliveries during emergencies and natural disasters.
“The feasibility study in Okinawa Prefecture brings us another step closer to our goal of offering drone-based services that address the diverse needs and social problems of the Japanese society,” says Masaharu Sato of ITOCHU Corporation. Future plans include integrating drones into conventional supply networks and launching commercial delivery services for critical medical products.
This initiative also lays the groundwork for larger-scale implementation. Wingcopter’s application for type certification in Japan, the first accepted for a foreign drone, could enable commercial flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and over inhabited areas.
“It is important to test as many real-world applications as possible under a wide range of conditions before type certification is granted, so that we can then scale up across Japan together with our partners,” says Armando Koerig Gessinger, Wingcopter’s chief revenue officer.
More: Texas Christmas drone show shatters world record [Video]
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments