RigiTech, is adding Medical Drone Service as a new operator using the advanced Eiger drone model to bolster healthcare services in the Netherlands. The drone will most likely be deployed on a route out of Rotterdam. The goal: to transport medical products, in particular blood and medication, to the hard-to-reach and sparsely populated areas of the province of Zeeland. The first deployment is expected in the next months, whereas the route out of Rotterdam is planned for the end of 2024.
Medical Drone Service, a collaborative endeavour between ANWB Medical Air Assistance and PostNL Health, in partnership with leading healthcare institutions including Erasmus MC, Isala, Sanquin, Certe, Resultlab, Amsterdam UMC, St. Antonius, Accureon, and UMCG, is dedicated to exploring the integration of drones in healthcare delivery. With a shared vision of ensuring healthcare accessibility throughout the Netherlands, Medical Drone Service aims to expedite medical assistance and strengthen interconnectivity among healthcare facilities. This initiative encompasses swift transportation of crucial medical supplies such as blood, medication, and diagnostic samples via drones, enabling rapid and efficient delivery to patients.
Growing demand for medical drone services
The introduction of the Eiger drone, distinguished by its yellow wings reminiscent of trauma helicopters, marks an expansion of the Medical Drone Services fleet, which now comprises three drones. This strategic enhancement comes in response to the growing demand for medical drone services, requiring the establishment of new operational routes beyond the initial Meppel-Zwolle corridor. RigiTech has provided comprehensive training to the personnel of Medical Drone Service, equipping them with the expertise to effectively utilize the Eiger platform and navigate both hardware and software intricacies. Additionally, the manufacturer’s training program empowers operators with valuable insights into scaling medical drone operations, ensuring seamless integration into existing healthcare infrastructure.
The RigiTech Eiger boasts a payload capacity of 3 kilograms within a specially designed medical bag compartment, capable of accommodating up to 180 blood tubes, a minimum of 3 blood bags, or various medication types. With a flight range of approximately 100 kilometers, the Eiger delivers unparalleled speed and efficiency in medical supply transportation. Notably, the inclusion of an onboard parachute system expands Medical Drone Service operational capabilities, facilitating flight over densely populated areas and supporting the initiative’s expansion efforts.
First deployment coming soon
In the forthcoming months, Medical Drone Service will conduct testing procedures and inaugurate its maiden route, paving the way for operational deployment. This milestone represents a significant stride towards advancing healthcare accessibility and responsiveness, underscoring the transformative potential of drone technology in the medical domain. Speaking of this new business partnership, the Swiss drone delivery startup adds: “RigiTech is proud to continue to offer a reliable cloud-based platform such as RigiCloud, to enable our customers to develop their drone logistics networks, as well as Support during operations so they can apply our innovative tech to fit their needs.”
(PR - ES)
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