Scotland to begin drone trials in March

Scotland’s Mercury Drone Ports program, which aims to develop the drone industry in Angus, will begin medical logistics trials in partnership with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) from next month.

The program, which is a partnership between drone tech start-up DTLX and Angus Council, will operate the trials from its drone port in the town of Montrose.

The operator will transport medical equipment and samples to and from multiple healthcare facilities between Angus and the city of Dundee, to assist with the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to the Scotsman newspaper, Angus Council Leader Councillor David Fairweather, said: “This level of improvement could potentially allow life-saving treatment to be able to commence earlier by reducing testing times, speeding up diagnoses for patients, all at a reduced cost to the NHS by reducing the reliance on expensive taxi transportation that currently exists.

“As the significant demands continue for Covid-19 testing, we are delighted to lead the way through innovative technologies to increase connectivity with our rural facilities, at a time that the NHS requires greater support.”

The program could offer significant improvements to connectivity in Scotland

Drone logistics technology could provide a significant boost to connectivity across Scotland – a country known for its rugged terrain and sparsely populated northern regions.

The program receives funding as part of the UK government’s £26.5 million Angus Fund, as part of the Tay Cities Regional Deal. It is hoped that the program will encourage innovation in the city and stimulate jobs within Scotland’s tech sector.

“Drones have huge potential in Scotland, from connecting health services to remote communities, to helping maintain renewable energy installations, to assisting with Scottish aquaculture and environmental monitoring,” said UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart.

Medical logistics drone projects have become more common in recent years, as the technology is trialled in remote regions across the world, including in the US, Peru, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire.