From Train Station to Hospital – Medical Drone Delivery 

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Due to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity to respond to changes in the logistics industry has become real and the use of drones may help realize automatic, contactless delivery. Japan has been accelerating the development of drone delivery technology for medical and other supplies. Tokyo could benefit greatly from this capability because there are many natural barriers, mainly the islands that are part of the city.

Japan Airlines has joined a consortium of transportation and technology specialists to test drone deliveries of medicines and food in Tokyo. The project will be particularly focused on developing efficient and safe drone operations in urban settings.

As part of the collaborative effort, KDDI will provide the drone operations platform for the project. Japan Airlines will offer safety management of flights, business development and feasibility assessment of pharmaceutical deliveries, while East Japan Railway will allow the tests to be performed from its stations. Weathernews will supply weather data for flights, and Terra Drone will offer air traffic control support.

To demonstrate the use of drones for pharmaceutical deliveries, the project will transport medicines from Mediceo Corp.’s Tokyo warehouse to nearby St. Luke’s International Hospital. Food deliveries will be tested from restaurants to offices in close proximity to the East Japan Railway stations in Tokyo.

The project began in August and will end in March 2022, as reported by freightwaves.com.