Wing, the drone delivery company operated by Google’s parent company Alphabet, has begun delivering medical supplies and devices to Dublin hospitals.
The firm has partnered with Apian, a UK based healthcare and logistics company, that connects healthcare providers with drone operators and services.
The two firms have teamed up with Blackrock Health and St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Dublin along with healthcare technology company, Medtronic to launch a drone delivery trial designed to demonstrate how drones could be used in healthcare logistics.
The delivery service initially consistS of items including a Medtronic ingestible camera, sutures, surgical tools and heart valve repair products, with plans to expand to pacemakers and Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs) in the future.
Wing said that its drones can make quicker, more reliable deliveries compared to the road vehicles that hospitals currently rely on for their medical supplies.
The pilot has started with up to 100 weekly flights and those behind the project said they are working closely with the Irish Aviation Authority to ensure the operations adhere to the regulator’s 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,” said Nicole Schone, Head of Marketing and Communications at Wing.
Kristian Howells, Group Commercial Director at Medtronic, said the project presented an exciting opportunity.
“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,” Mr Howells said.
Blackrock Health CEO Dr Caroline Whelan said the partnership is a prime example of the opportunities that exist when integrating technology into the healthcare industry.
“We are excited by the possibilities that come with this drone delivery service, and hope to expand this beyond receiving medical supplies, by extending uses to other services in time between our hospitals,” Dr Whelan said.
St Vincent’s Private Hospital CEO Brian Fitzgerald said the trial would allow it to explore how integrating drone technology into its hospital can improve patient care, enhance supply chain management and enable it to operate more efficiently and sustainably.
In 2022, Wing began conducting delivery trials in Lusk in Co Dublin which included community engagement and drone delivery demonstrations.
Irish drone company Manna has also carried out a number of drone delivery trials in recent years.
