In one of first cases of delivering medicine via drones in India, Karnataka will launch the initiative on June 18 on a pilot basis
Bengaluru: In one of first cases of delivering medicine via drones in India, Karnataka will launch the initiative on June 18 on a pilot basis.
The government has chosen Health Minister K Sudhakar's home district's Gauribidanur taluk for testing.
If the 45-day pilot study from June 21 yields results, then like America and China and other advanced countries, Karnataka state will also supply emergency medicines via drones.
Throttle Aerospace Systems (TAS), a Bengaluru-based company will use the technology after receiving the permission of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Dr Devi Shetty will supply medicines through his Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital for this purpose.
As per reports, a patient and his family has to raise the request on software developed by TAS. After examining the claims, the medicines will be loaded into the drones by the hospital. 4G technology is used in operating the drone. This drone can fly and manage to avoid trees, buildings and towers. It can also withstand gusty winds and reach the desired location.
The drones named MedCopter come in two variants for medical purposes. A 1kg weight MedCopter can fly up to 15kms to deliver medicines whereas a 2kg weight drone will cover 12kms at 40km speed. As per Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules, 100 hours of accident-free delivery should be recorded for go ahead, and for that purpose, every day, the drone will fly for 6 to 7 hours. The TAS is planning to cover 125 hours and submit the report for review.
During the pilot study, the authorities will examine what kind of medicines can be sent, the challenges and the feasibility of the system.
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