A new project demonstrates the lifesaving possibilities of BVLOS medical drone delivery in Greece.
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
A partnership between the Quest Group, (ACS and Uni Systems), together with the Pleiades IoT Innovation Cluster and PROBOTEK, announced that they had successfully transported pharmaceuticals and medical supplies from the island of Kos, in the Greek Dodecanese archipelago, to the nearby, but poorly connected, island of Pserimos, in an important step forward for BVLOS drone operations in Greece and the broader EU.
After receiving their license from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, the consortium’s Swiss-made cargo drone, which had a wingspan of over 3m, flew the 12km from Tigkaki, Kos, to Pserimos, with pilots standing by at both ends of the trip. The 9-minute long flight was carefully monitored for safety as the UAV made its way to the remote island, which is not directly connected to the mainland by any transport, instead being reliant on neighboring islands closer to Athens.
This flight was among the first in Greece to utilize the EU’s new U-Space protocols, and signals further integration of UAVs into the broader transport network of Greece, which is currently heavily reliant on maritime vehicles like ferries and cargo boats. The new project was assisted by Drops Smart Hubs, who helped facilitate the logistics of takeoff and landing.
Apostolos Georgantzis, CEO of Quest Group and President and CEO of ACS, stated: “We are particularly pleased about the new transport route, which we are opening today, attempting to significantly change the daily lives of the border islands’ residents. The first licensed BVLOS pilot flight for the transportation of medical equipment in a remote area is now a reality, once again highlighting our market leadership. We are also very pleased to demonstrate once more that innovation is at our business core, supporting sustainable development and a better future for Greece.”
More on the project, including video, is available here.
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Ian McNabb is a staff writer based in Boston, MA. His interests include geopolitics, emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and Boston College sports.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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