News
Wing drones to deliver medical supplies to Dublin hospitals
2nd July 2024
Wing and Apian have partnered with Blackrock Health and St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Dublin along with leading healthcare technology company, Medtronic to launch an innovative drone delivery trial demonstrating the benefits drones could offer in healthcare logistics.
Over the next few months, Wing and Apian will deploy drone delivery to carry medical supplies and devices to hospitals. The delivery service will commence with items including Medtronic’s ingestible camera, PillCam™, sutures, surgical tools and heart valve repair products, with plans to expand to pacemakers and Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs) in the future. The first deliveries will be received in Dublin’s Blackrock Health, Blackrock Clinic and St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in the coming days.
This delivery of Medtronic medical supplies to Blackrock Clinic, part of Blackrock Health Group, and St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, part of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, will be Ireland’s first ongoing medical device delivery service by drone.
“The use of drones in medical logistics presents an exciting opportunity to get our life-saving technologies to the people who need them quicker than ever before,” said Kristian Howells, Group Commercial Director at Medtronic. “Traditional supply chains have limitations that the inclusion of drones may help to overcome. What we learn from this pilot programme will help us to create more resilient supply chains that are patient focused.”
The partnership has been designed to trial faster, more reliable, and sustainable medical logistics - supporting patients as they receive the care they need, sooner. Medical drone deliveries have the potential to create more efficient healthcare systems, with less wastage of medical supplies, and more space for patient-facing care facilities as providers receive what they need, when they need it.
Currently, hospitals depend on road vehicles to transport medical supplies to hospitals or healthcare centres, but urban locations experience frequent delays due to congestion, as well as associated higher carbon emissions. Wing’s drones, which are being used in this programme, are lightweight and electric, and can make quicker, more reliable deliveries than traditional modes of transport, as seen in its more than 350,000 commercial deliveries across the globe. They will fly more direct routes and at speeds up to approximately 100 km per hour, avoiding the traffic congestion on Dublin’s roads.
“At Blackrock Health, innovation is at the core of what we do, and this partnership is a prime example of the opportunities that exist when integrating technology into healthcare industry, with an added benefit of supporting our commitment to sustainability,” shared Dr. Caroline Whelan, CEO of Blackrock Health “We are excited by the possibilities that come with this drone delivery service, and hope to expand this beyond receiving medical supplies, by extending use to other services in time between our hospitals.”
Brian Fitzgerald, CEO, St Vincent’s Private Hospital said; “St Vincent’s Healthcare Group is continuously harnessing advances in science and research to provide innovative treatment and care to our patients. Participating in this trial continues this tradition and allows St Vincent’s Private Hospital to explore how integrating drone technology into our hospital can improve patient care, enhance supply chain management and enable us to operate more efficiently and sustainably”.
The initiative will start with up to 100 weekly flights. The partners have cooperated to implement rigorous safety mechanisms and are working closely with the Irish Aviation Authority to ensure these operations leverage the support and experience of the regulator and adhere to their high operational standards.
“Wing is pleased to support a global leader in healthcare technology and two innovative hospitals to meet their needs for a more efficient delivery service for essential technology. We’re excited to be part of Ireland’s forward-looking healthcare technology market, and to expand our existing portfolio of retail and medical deliveries around the world,” said Nicole Schone, Head of Marketing & Communications at Wing. “We look forward to this trial further demonstrating the clear value that Wing drone delivery has for the healthcare industry and beyond.”
The momentum in drone delivery, and its natural fit to serve healthcare, is clear. As noted by Hammad Jeilani, Founder and Medical Director of Apian: “Apian is delivering the future model for a more innovative and efficient healthcare system and we are very proud to be part of this new partnership.”
So, the Future of Flight Action Plan is Out… Now what?
27th March 2024
Louisa Smith, Chief Aviation Officer
UK Future of Flight Action Plan
The email notification popped up on my phone: The Future of Flight action plan has landed. Having quickly digested the slides, I wasn’t surprised by the content. It’s ambitious, for sure, but it’s also clearly needed. Excitement filled me, but scrolling through social media, it felt like the positivity surrounding this development was overshadowed by a sense of caution.
Here’s the thing: we’ve been asking for timelines, for concrete dates, and that’s exactly what the Future of Flight action plan delivers. It’s fantastic to finally have these targets in place. The dates might seem conservative to some and aggressive to others, but these dates, to me, are an appropriate mix of ambition and awareness of what it will take to get this working. The benefits — especially for critical services like the NHS — can’t wait another 5–10 years, patients and clinicians need access to the efficiency and speed that drone delivery offers. These dates mean more to me than just numbers on a page, I see this roadmap as ours; the industry, regulator, and government, our dates to own, ours to work together to ensure we hit the timelines.
Now, are there concerns? Absolutely — Safe integration with other airspace users in unsegregated airspace, public acceptance of scaled operations, and certification of technology that updates yearly to name a few. But it’s happening and this will open up a world of potential benefit if we get this right together. They’re not some futuristic pipe dream anymore. Remember those early days, the “what ifs” scribbled on the back of a napkin? We’ve well and truly graduated from that stage. Customers are chomping at the bit, the demand is real, and the pressure on the aviation industry is immense. The question isn’t “if” anymore, it’s “when.”
Apian’s image features in the action plan
The Future of Flight action plan might not be perfect, it might not address every single concern, but it’s a step forward. It’s a roadmap, a starting point for a conversation that needs to happen. We can’t let the fear of the unknown paralyse us.
This is our chance to shape the future of flight.
Let’s use this plan as a springboard for a constructive dialogue. Let’s identify the potential challenges, sure, but let’s also work together to find solutions. Let’s leverage the expertise of everyone in the industry, from regulators to pilots to those innovative minds who first dreamt of drone deliveries.
The future of flight is coming, and it’s up to us to make sure it takes off smoothly. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. The sky, as they say, is no longer the limit.
Soaring High: Celebrating Women in the Drone Industry on International Women's Day
8th March 2024
Louisa Smith, Chief Aviation Officer and Juliet Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer of Apian discuss why IWD is so important for women working in traditionally male dominated industries.
International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across all fields, and the drone industry is no exception. While traditionally dominated by men, an increasing number of women are taking to the skies, piloting drones, and shaping the future of this dynamic technology.
Breaking Barriers, Taking Flight
The drone industry offers a diverse range of exciting opportunities, from aerial photography to search and rescue operations, agricultural applications and on-demand medical delivery. Women are bringing their unique perspectives and skills to these various fields, pushing boundaries and making significant contributions.
Leading the Way
Several inspiring women are leading the charge in the drone industry. We have pioneering entrepreneurs like Gemma Alcock, who founded Skybound Rescuer, supporting the safe deployment of drones in the Emergency Services, and visionary leaders like Eszter Kovacs, who actively foster a platform for the drone community and champion diversity through initiatives like "Women Behind the Drone Revolution". These women are not only excelling in their own careers but also paving the way for others to follow.
Building a More Inclusive Future
Despite the progress made, there's still work to be done to achieve true gender equality in the drone industry. Mentoring programs such as https://altamentoring.com/ which is offering Mentoring for Women by Women in the Aviation and Aerospace Industry are great examples of initiatives which are crucial in encouraging women to develop their careers and provide support. Additionally, fostering inclusive work environments and combating unconscious bias are essential steps towards creating a more diverse and thriving drone industry.
Celebrating the Journey
On International Women's Day, we celebrate the women who are shaping the future of the drone industry. Their dedication, innovation, and resilience are an inspiration to all. As the industry continues to grow, we can look forward to even more women taking the lead, pushing boundaries, and soaring to new heights.
Let's continue to break down barriers and create a space where women can thrive in the drone industry, not just on International Women's Day, but every day.
