Carilion Clinic and DroneUp launch UAV trial
The three-week trial in Roanoke, Virginia, will explore the use of drones for medical deliveries
Virginia-based healthcare business Carilion Clinic has partnered with uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) firm DroneUp to investigate how the technology could improve its services.
The two companies launched a three-week ‘proof of concept’ trial on 9 June in the town of Roanoke, Virginia, to test the feasibility of the technology for use in healthcare deliveries.
The drones will operate within visual line of sight between Carilion Clinic’s facility in Riverside Circle, and its materials management warehouse on Franklin Road.
DroneUp’s drones are capable of carrying approximately 4.5kg of cargo. During the trial, the aircraft will hover above the designated landing zone and lower goods to the ground.
“While we're starting in Roanoke and are focused on internal deliveries, this study could have broader applications,” said Paul Davenport, Vice President of Emergency Medicine, Carilion Clinic. “This discovery period will encourage us to be curious about how drones could deliver goods directly to patients who don't have transportation or who live in remote locations.”
The Gambian government recently met with US drone company ARDA to discuss the introduction of medical drone delivery services in the country.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.