A consortium focused on establishing a drone network for medical transportation, led by AGS Airports in collaboration with NHS Scotland, has launched its next phase.
CAELUS (Care and Equity – Healthcare Logistics UAS Scotland), secured £10.1m funding from the Future Flight Challenge at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) last month.
Consortium members, stakeholders and politicians gathered at Glasgow Airport for the official launch and to hear more details of the project.
Scottish government public health minister Maree Todd gave the event’s keynote speech.
CAELUS is working to deliver the first national drone network that can transport essential medicines, bloods and other medical supplies throughout Scotland, including to remote communities.
Since securing £1.5m in January 2020, the CAELUS consortium has designed drone landing stations for NHS sites across Scotland and developed a digital twin of the suggested network which connects hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres and GP surgeries.
The project’s second phase will reportedly involve live flight trials and removing any obstacles to safe operation of drones within Scotland’s airspace.
Fiona Smith, head of aerodrome strategy at AGS Airports and CAELUS project director, said: “We were delighted when we heard we were receiving the £10.1m funding from UKRI to move onto the next phase of the project.
“The CAELUS project is set to revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered in Scotland.
“A drone network can ensure critical medical supplies can be delivered more efficiently, it can reduce waiting times for test results and, more importantly, it can provide equity of care between urban and remote rural communities.
“We will also work with local communities to ensure they understand why and how the drones will be used.”
Live flight trials will be operated by CAELUS member Skyports, a UK-based drone services provider that was involved in early trial flights with NHS Scotland.
The CAELUS consortium includes: AGS Airports Limited; ANRA Technologies UK; Arup; Atkins; Cellnex UK; Commonplace Digital; Connected Places Catapult; DGP Intelsius; Dronamics; NATS; NHS Scotland; Plane Finder; Skyports; The Drone Office; Trax International; and University of Strathclyde.
