Aster DM Healthcare, Skye Air collaborate for drone delivery of medicines

New Delhi: Aster DM Healthcare has signed a partnership alliance with Skye Air Mobility, a drone-technology-based logistics firm, for drone delivery of medical samples and medicines between the Aster Hospital and clinics in Bengaluru.

The trial run successfully kicked off in Bengaluru on May 14 from Aster RV Hospital at JP Nagar to Aster Clinics in the city with the 'Beyond Visual Line of Sight' (BVLOS) carrying the medicines and diagnostic samples, executives of the two firms said in a press conference.

According to them, in the last three days 40 flights were taken up successfully. After the successful completion of the seven-day BVLOS trials, Skye Air targets to undertake approximately 80 flights a month, each carrying blood samples and medicines for Aster Clinics. The drone-led delivery system is executed through a designated Skye Air cold chain professional to first load the medicine and diagnostic sample in a temperature-controlled payload box. This payload box is then loaded in the drone which is then directed by drone pilots at the command centre through a predetermined route to a fixed landing pad.

''These trials aim to demonstrate a faster supply chain for sample collection by effectively using drone delivery technology. The technology illustrates the cost effectiveness and reduction in delivery time,'' Skye Air Mobility chief executive officer Ankit Kumar said.

Read also: Aster DM Healthcare to invest Rs 500 crore to provide healthcare at affordable cost in Tamil Nadu