Darling Downs Health to collaborate with Swoop Aero to use drones to deliver essential supplies between facilities

A trial program will see drones deliver supplies, test samples and pharmaceuticals between Darling Downs hospitals at speeds of up to 200km/h.

Drones will travel up to 200km/h between Darling Downs hospitals to deliver supplies, medicine and test samples in a futuristic government-approved program.

In 2023 Swoop Aero will work in conjunction with the health department to facilitate a trial drone program that would see dispatch hubs launched within the sector to make high-speed deliveries between facilities.

“We’re continually searching for ways to enhance our capability as a health service, and we’ll be looking to see if this trial improves the outcomes for patients and our community,”

Executive Director Infrastructure at Darling Downs Health, Dr Paul Clayton said in a statement.

Executive Director Infrastructure at Darling Downs Health Dr Paul Clayton with Australian Operations Manager for Swoop Aero Daniel Scandar. Picture: supplied

“We’ll be considering the time it takes to plan a tasking of the drone, the dispatch and retrieval of goods and of course how that all integrates into an already efficient service.

“What is really exciting about this trial is it is just the beginning of integrating new AI technologies which have the potential to transform how we work and provide care.” Dr Clayton said.

Swoop Aero’s the Kite™ can travel up to 200km/h with 4.7kg of load and will have the ability to deliver medical supplies between hospitals and multipurpose facilities in a timely manner.

“Funding from the Australian Federal Government will accelerate the value we can add back to Australian society, across industries including medical transport, search and rescue, agriculture and government,” CEO and CO-Founder of Swoop Aero Eric Peck said.

“The large-scale trial, set to commence in the first half of 2023, will present life-changing opportunities to patients and communities. Swoop Aero has already successfully deployed this technology across 14 countries and four continents, delivering over 1.2 million items.”