An innovative trial with a medical drone officially started today. The drone will transport medical goods such as blood products, medicines, and samples between the Isala hospital locations in Zwolle and Meppel over the coming year. Today, the first drone was launched into the air.
The drone flies at an altitude of 100 meters with a cruising speed of 100 km/h and covers the distance between both locations in just 20 minutes. With a drone, medical samples, medicines, or blood products can be quickly transported between care locations. This allows patients to be helped faster, relieves healthcare staff, and keeps the pressure on local road and traffic infrastructure to a minimum.
Drone connect from KPN
This is a one-year trial involving KPN, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, ANWB, Air Traffic Control Netherlands, Isala, and various other healthcare partners. The drones utilize KPN's 4G and 5G networks. Drone connect, KPN's service for operating drones, provides insight into network coverage at drone altitude and ensures that the connection is of high quality.
Exclusive corridor in airspace
During the trial, an exclusive corridor in the airspace has been reserved for safe flights out of sight of the pilot. In the coming months, research will be conducted on how technology, legislation, and societal acceptance come together in a safe drone operation. After that, it will be assessed whether a national drone operation is possible.
Want to know more about Drone connect? Visit: https://www.kpn.com/zakelijk/internet-of-things/drones
