#dronesforgood

SAM IS ....
GEOBusiness & Digital Construction Week 2023

We are thrilled to announce that ARPAS-UK will be exhibiting at GeoBusiness, colocated with Digital Construction, on May 17th and 18th at Stand G650. This event brings together professionals and innovators from the geospatial and construction industries to explore the latest advancements, technologies, and solutions.

We have curated a series of captivating talks and presentations focused on the incredible potential of drones in various applications. These talks, delivered by some of our esteemed members, promise to provide valuable insights and highlight the transformative power of drone technology. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:

GeoBusiness:

1. Aerial excellence: Showcasing the finest projects employing drones for cutting-edge photogrammetry and lidar applications
Speaker: Erick Razon, Richard Dunlop
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Surveying & Mapping Stage
Description: Explore notable global projects that highlight the use of photogrammetry and LiDAR in drone surveying. Discover diverse drone solutions and tactics employed to generate robust geospatial outputs like digital twins, georeferenced point clouds, 3D meshes, and 2D orthophotos.

2. Creating a digital twin with UAV-collected data
Speaker: David McKittrick
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Built Environment Stage
Description: Drones equipped with lidar or cameras enable the creation of digital twins, detailed 3D models of real-world areas. Through photogrammetric processing, GIS analysts can collect data and generate image, point cloud, and mesh layers. Further analysis involves terrain modeling, feature extraction, and overlaying additional data for a comprehensive 3D rendering.

3. Introduction into drones and payload capabilities
Speaker: Adrian Fowler, Brian Critchley
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Surveying & Mapping Stage
Description: This talk provides an overview of drones and their applications for surveying and mapping. It focuses on three drone products: Atmos Marlyn for topographic surveys, Tersus MetaVerse Painter LiDAR for landform monitoring, and Sniffer-4D for air pollutant mapping. Each product is supported by relevant case studies.

4. Infrastructure digital twin & the value of reality modeling
Speaker: Dr. Benoit Fredericque
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 2:00 – 2:30 pm
Location: Infrastructure Stage
Description: Infrastructure Digital Twins have revolutionized the way we design, build, and operate infrastructure by breaking information silos and enabling collaboration. This presentation explores the integration of various data sources and discusses the feasibility and benefits of reality modeling techniques through real-world implementation examples.

5. CAA Drone Regulations – What you need to know!
Speaker: James Ixer
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 3:30 – 4:00 pm
Location: Surveying & Mapping Stage
Description: This session provides an overview of the updated drone regulations in 2023 and their implications for the geospatial industry. Experts will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussions on drone-related topics.

6. Dr-SUIT – Drone Swarm for unmanned inspection of wind turbines
Speaker: Alex Fraess-Ehrfeld, Victor Becerra
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Infrastructure Stage
Description: The Dr-SUIT project, a collaboration between Airborne Robotics, Ocean Infinity, Bentley Telecom, and the University of Portsmouth, focuses on using a swarm of drones carried by an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to inspect offshore wind turbines. The project incorporates real-time scheduling, 5G/satellite communications, and autonomous operations to enhance efficiency and precision in turbine inspection and maintenance.

7. Remote Survey in High Risk Heritage Environments
Speaker: Gary Young, Jon Bedford
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Built Environment Stage
Description: In this session, Gary and Jon from Historic England will discuss their geospatial work and the integration of semi-autonomous robots and drones into their workflow for accessing hazardous environments. They will highlight the benefits, challenges, and showcase case studies of projects that have utilized these tools.

8. How machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are delivering national scale geospatial data and insight for insurers, government, and business
Speaker: Dr. Emma White, Tom Timms
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 11:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Built Environment Stage
Description: This presentation discusses the use of Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and advanced analytical techniques for capturing and processing geographic data at a national scale. It addresses the challenges and provides real-world examples of their application in delivering solutions and services to government and the insurance industry.

9. Airborne bathymetry: Surveyors’ insights
Speaker: Andrei Șueran, Maxim Baklykov, Roman Kirsanov
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 3:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Land & Natural Resources Stage
Description: Airborne bathymetry is a new surveying method that can provide bathyorographic maps for reservoirs, rivers, and seas. It allows for large-scale studies with a small team using a drone and offers comparable data accuracy to traditional methods. This method is particularly useful for areas where boat-based surveys are restricted or dangerous. A debate will be held to discuss surveying experiences and techniques.

10. Enhanced insight for environment and security: The cube4envsec initiative
Speaker: Prof. Peter Baumann
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 3:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Main Stage
Description: The NATO SPS project Cube4EnvSec focuses on datacube services for security and climate impact assessment. Demonstrators highlight the integration of satellite, drone, and weather data for applications like aviation safety. The talk provides an overview and live demos of the project’s objectives and achievements.

Digital Construction Week:

1. Deploying drones to support construction teams
Speaker: James Bishop, Varun Sarwal
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: This session explores the practical applications of drone surveying and the integration of drone software into project team workflows. The focus is on improved site works tracking, cost analysis, and validation of early/enabling works using the user-friendly Hammer Missions platform.

2. Building the World’s First Industrial Safetytech Regulatory Sandbox
Speaker: Dr. Helen Balmforth, Seb Corby, Steven Naylor
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Innovation Stage
Description: Discovering Safety, in collaboration with the Safetytech Accelerator and construction industry partners, is establishing the world’s first regulatory sandbox for Industrial Safetytech. This initiative aims to evaluate and test innovative technologies such as AI, visual analytics, drones, and wearables in a simulated environment to promote successful solutions and overcome barriers to adoption in health and safety management.

3. Digital solution for construction – From data acquisition to data analysis using photogrammetry
Speaker: Dimitrios Kalamakis
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: Pix4D offers innovative data capture solutions for construction, including mobile scanning with PIX4Dcatch and an RTK rover for subsurface engineering utilities, as well as drone imagery and the CraneCamera for aerial perspectives. These solutions enhance site management, communication, and cost-saving measures through improved documentation, progress tracking, and BIM model generation.

4. Virtual inspection introduces new approach to operation and maintenance of large structures
Speaker: Dr. Chris Hoy, Richard Jenkins, Sara Peng
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 12:30 – 1:00 pm
Location: Asset Management Stage
Description: By leveraging digital technologies like drones, reality capture, and 3D modeling, the transition from manual to virtual inspection of large structures improves their operation, maintenance, and decision-making processes. Complete and geo-referenced structural overviews enable efficient inspection and facilitate informed decision-making through a flexible digital portal.

5. Post-disaster management in smart cities
Speaker: Damla Akyüz, Ezgi Şendil
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: Explore how technology is transforming disaster response in urban areas and how smart cities can utilize advanced technologies to enhance post-disaster management. Gain practical insights for improving disaster response in your community.

6. Taking construction to new heights: The revolutionary impact of drones on UK and global construction companies
Speaker: Ben Sangster, Erick Razon
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 11:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: Discover how construction firms are embracing drone technology to enhance efficiency, safety, and transparency in their operations. Explore real-world case studies from industry leaders to learn about successful drone integration in construction digitization.

7. Cintoo Cloud the multimodal as built platform for your static, mobile and drone data that plugs into your digital twin
Speaker: Simon Shaw
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 2:00 – 2:15 pm
Location: Tech Stage
Description: Cintoo Cloud is a platform used by leading companies in the AEC and Industry 4.0 sectors to store, manage, and distribute terrestrial, mobile, and drone point cloud data. It enables comparisons between laser scans and 3D models to identify discrepancies, reducing costs and errors. The platform offers benefits such as minimizing site visits, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and integrating with other digital twin platforms.

8. Bridging the gap between drone surveying and site management
Speaker: Craig Mallard
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 3:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: This session explores the use of drone data in construction, emphasizing the importance of accurate site progress tracking. By combining drones with data analytics platforms, teams can visualize and manage worksites effectively, improving productivity and reducing risks of data silos.

We invite you to visit Stand G650 at GeoBusiness and Digital Construction & to attend these enlightening talks and engage with these experts. Our team will be available throughout the event to discuss our drone-related services, share success stories, and answer any questions you may have.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the geospatial and construction industries. We look forward to seeing you at GeoBusiness and Digital Construction on May 17th and 18th!

The ARPAS-UK Team

SAM IS ....
Unmanned Aircraft Uses in Agriculture, inc Spraying and Spreading: WATCH AGAIN

A session exploring the use cases of how drones can work within the agricultural sector, including spraying and spreading from drones.

AutoSpray Systems has the equipment in the UK, and are currently undertaking other testing and seeding/ spraying within traditional agricultural settings. They have the Operational Authorisation from the UK CAA to use Unmanned Aircraft for this use case. Their staff are also a UK CAA Approved Recognised Assessment Entity with over 5 years’ experience and wrote the Operational Safety Case for the CAA, which they accepted and ultimately approved their Operational Authorisation based on this documentation. This is the first authorisation of its kind in the UK.

They have a proven track record of developing a product and developing new marketplaces for these products.

Speaker Info:

Andrew Sproson, Co-owner of AutoSpray Systems

Andrew has a Professional background in the Emergency Services, involving Critical Incident Planning, Search and Rescue Operations and Resource Management.
Andrew has been an Unmanned Aircraft Pilot for over 7 years, and his company has been a CAA Approved Recognised Assessment Entity since 2018.

Andrew is also a qualified Counter Drone Operative and deployed this technology in the field.
Andrew has created Unmanned Aircraft departments in over 300 Organisations and instilled a very high standard of safety.
In 2020, Andrew co-founded AutoSpray Systems and developed the methodologies and risk assessments associated with obtaining an authorisation to spray chemicals with a drone that is over 25Kgs and for Agricultural / Horticultural and Forestry uses.
Andrew has further developed a bespoke training package for Remote Pilots, to adopt these skills and utilise the technology in farming.
Andrew co-wrote the LANTRA approved Chemical Drone Spraying Qualification.

SAM IS ....
Emergency Drone Responder E-Magazine #2

March 2023 saw the launch of the new Emergency Drone Responder E-Magazine. It is packed full of information for those in the Emergency Services, with articles, thought-pieces, advice and product information.

ARPAS-UK is delighted that Graham Brown, Chair of ARPAS-UK, and Phil Hicks of Pravo Consulting were involved in this first issue. Check out page 15: Cleared for Action

https://emergencydroneresponder.com/issues/march-2023/

1 March 2023

SAM IS ....
ARPAS-UK AGM Outcome (resolutions)

The ARPAS-UK AGM was held on Thursday March 2nd 2023 at DARTeC, Cranfield University.

It was so good to see our members again in person after holding the AGM virtually for the last couple of years. Professor Graham Braithwaite of DARTeC mentioned how important conversations over coffee are – and we couldn’t agree more! Connecting, reconnecting, finding common points of interest, or the solution to a problem that’s been bugging you: the importance of holding a conversation, sharing a cup of coffee, or meeting someone who you’ve only connected with previously on LinkedIn can’t be underestimated.

So, firstly we would like to say thank you to all those who were able to attend in person.

We do however recognise that this isn’t always possible, so thank you too to those who registered for the virtual event as well.

Outcome of the Resolutions: Three resolutions were put to the Membership:

  1. We asked members if they would like to make the attendance to the AGM and the voting process as easy and inclusive as possible for all members by formally allowing hybrid general meetings and remote voting via digital proxy or online voting tools. This was agreed.
  2. Aleks Kowalski was appointed as director by the board of directors in August 2022, and we proposed to confirm his appointment by a vote in the General Meeting. This was confirmed.
  3. Chris Daniels was appointed as director by the board of directors in August 2022, and we proposed to confirm his appointment by a vote in the General Meeting. This was confirmed.

In addition, we would like to thank Stuart Keenan, our outgoing Chair, and Rupert Dent, Director of Regulations and Policy, for their time and commitment to ARPAS-UK. They have volunteered their time to improve the professionalism of the industry and support it as it continues to develop. They have embodied what is the very best in this developing industry: the ability to put the individual to one side for the benefit of the whole.

Rupert Dent was made Director Regulations and Policy in September 2017. He has devoted hours and hours to numerous CAA committees, talking through regulative issues with Members, spent time at Exhibitions and Conferences talking to would be members, and advocated hard on behalf of the UK drone industry at all levels.

Stuart Keenan joined the ARPAS-UK Committee in 2021 and became Chair later that year. His support for the industry is deep rooted and he has been an excellent advocate on behalf of ARPAS-UK.

The presentation from the AGM is attached.

2023-03-02-ARPASUK-AGMDownload
SAM IS ....
Marshall Futureworx to provide offshore wind farm inspection services using resident robotic ecosystem

Marshall Futureworx, the venture building and advanced technologies arm of Marshall of Cambridge, has unveiled details of the first in a suite of new product lines and services it will be bringing to market to support ever increasing demand for secure and renewable energy.

The ground-breaking new system, Lilypad, is an ecosystem of multiple autonomous BVLOS UAVs which utilise artificial intelligence and navigational sensors to provide dynamic and on-demand offshore inspection services – revolutionising the way operators are able to monitor real-time performance of their wind farms.

The UAVs are deployed from dedicated offshore charging stations and monitored by a single remote pilot stationed in an onshore command and control centre. Vital inspection data and reports are then transmitted back to the wind farm operators, enabling faster, more frequent, reliable and predictive maintenance scheduling and more effective utilisation of assets.

The UK already has the world’s second largest installed offshore wind capacity at around 12 GW and is a key component of the UK Government’s net zero strategy, with an ambitious target of achieving 50 GW installed capacity by 2030 and potentially more than 100 GW by 2050. As Government and industry continues to advance the UK offshore wind capability, new and scalable technologies such as Lilypad are required to inspect, maintain and ensure the efficiency of wind turbines while also minimising costs to energy users.

Lilypad reduces the requirement for offshore personnel undertaking inspections, minimising both cost and impact on the environment. At the same time, the improved frequency and quality of intelligence operators gain through Lilypad’s remote inspections will enable them to significantly increase wind turbine up time and extend their overall lifecycle.

Marshall Futureworx Managing Director, Kieren Paterson explains: “The ever increasing demand for secure and renewable energy to power our communities has resulted in the surging need for innovative solutions to enable the installation and support of offshore wind infrastructure, right from initial construction and through the life of projects.

Leveraging our demonstrated talent for integrating leading technologies and providing support services to customers operating in demanding and regulated environments, we are excited to share the first of these products – Lilypad, an offshore windfarm inspection service that provides truly scalable inspection capacity to support the significant growth and increasing remoteness of offshore windfarms.

Lilypad uses permanently resident autonomous UAVs allowing us to provide on-demand and scheduled inspections timed to minimise the economic impact on windfarm operations. Lilypad decouples the cost of inspection from sea state, distance from shore and seasonal considerations and eliminates the need for offshore personnel during inspections.”

The announcement from Futureworx, experts in complex system development and integration, follows on from the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2022 with ISS Aerospace who offer best in class industrial UAVs and sees.ai with their leading AI drone guidance and control software.

“ISS Aerospace is delighted to have been appointed by Marshall Futureworx to provide a derivative of our Sensus ML8-XP UAV for the Lilypad ecosystem. The Sensus family of UAVs has seen considerable buy-in from our defence, security and energy clients and seen operations worldwide. ISS provides highly innovative, customer requirement focused solutions which deliver on-board multi-modal sensor integration to deliver intelligence solutions at the highest tempo.” Said Ryan Kempley, ISS Aerospace CEO.

“We’re thrilled to be able to reveal more about this project. Not only does it involve deep collaboration with Marshall, one of the UK’s leading aerospace companies; and an exciting opportunity to develop a defensible world-leading product for a huge and rapidly-growing global market; but it also gives us the opportunity to make a substantial impact on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the transition to net-zero. With this stellar consortium we look forward to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with UAV technology.” Says John McKenna, CEO of sees.ai

More information on Lilypad can be found its first public showcase during the Global Offshore Wind Exhibition in London on 14 June 2023 at Stand A66 or via the website: https://marshallfutureworx.com/lilypad

SAM IS ....
Key industry players forming the BVLOS Forum, led by NATS and including ARPAS-UK, call on government to unlock the next generation of aviation

The UK’s leading drone operators have called on the Government to change the way uncrewed aviation is regulated, and break down the barriers to uncrewed flight that risk the UK missing out on the ‘drone opportunity’.    

The comments come in a new White Paper published by the BVLOS Operations Forum, a consortium of advanced drone and technology companies that are pioneering the use of remotely piloted aircraft ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS).

‘South of the Clouds: A roadmap to the next generation of uncrewed aviation’, sets out the industry’s vision of how new types of aircraft, like drones, can be integrated into the UK’s busy skies, and what steps the Government needs to take to make it happen.

Organisations in the Forum are already using drones to deliver cancer treatments and vital medical supplies to patients in remote areas; in search & rescue operations by HM Coastguard; and for conducting infrastructure inspections and monitoring in a more sustainable, safer way.  But because Government regulations have evolved more slowly than the technologies in this sector, these types of remotely piloted flights are limited to very restricted areas of airspace, making regular commercial services difficult to deliver.  ‘South of the Clouds’ presents a collective industry view of how policymakers could address that problem. 

“This White Paper has been co-created by the Forum to outline the imperative of uncrewed flight”, said Russell Porter, Chair of the BVLOS Operations Forum and Head of UTM Programmes at air traffic services company NATS.  

“The way forward to achieving routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, integrated with other air traffic, will require significant policy change from both the Government and the Civil Aviation Authority.  

“While there have been positive developments, not least in the Future Flight Challenge and the recently published Airspace Modernisation Strategy, this fast-growing sector is adamant we need to go further, faster, if we are to make uncrewed aircraft a safe and effective option in the aeronautical toolbox.”

Among the policy recommendations is a call for all aircraft to be equipped with ‘electronic conspicuity’ technology to show their location – without this, drones would effectively be flying blind to what’s around them – as well as reform of the regulatory system to enable remotely piloted flights in more areas of airspace, rather than restricted or temporary environments. 

Also proposed is a roadmap that sets out a vision for how airspace could be managed for uncrewed aircraft in the future, and the steps required to get there, so that those in the industry can plan and invest accordingly.  

“With reduced emissions, reduced cost, and improved safety, uncrewed aircraft can achieve extraordinary things that everyone, in all parts of the UK, will benefit from, and BVLOS is key to unlocking that full potential,” said Russell Porter.  

“The next generation of aviation is coming, and now is the time to act to make it a reality.”

To read ‘South of the Clouds: A roadmap to the next generation of uncrewed aviation’, visit: https://www.nats.aero/sotc

27 February 2023

SAM IS ....
Bright sparks Networx3 launch new electrical division

Networx3 has launched a new electrical division to the business – to offer a one stop shop solution for clients.

A team of five time-served qualified electricians are running the new arm which provides electrical work alongside the blown fibre optic cable service Networx3 provides to customers in the civil service, utilities and green energy sectors.

Networx3 has just been awarded NAPIT accreditation which demonstrates compliance and competence in the electrical services industry.

The new NAPIT badge means that Networx3 now offer a turnkey solution to clients who are installing blown fibre optic cable telecommunications systems.

Michael Calcroft (L) and Darren Williamson (R) with NAPIT accreditation

Networx3 UAV founder and managing director Ian Ashworth said: “This solves a headache for our clients because so much of what we do in telecoms has an electrical element to it – every cabinet we’re feeding cables into has electricity to it and there is often a need to install or upgrade sockets or ports as we go.
“This service complements what Networx3 already provides for clients and is a specialist addition to what we have to offer. It stops delays, makes work seamless and fits in nicely with installations we are already doing in comms rooms, commercial premises and electricity cabinets.

“We can now undertake remediation and upgrade electrical infrastructure, conduct safety checks and bring data and electrics together on every job.”

The new electrical installation branch is headed up by Karl Anderson, Darren Williamson and Michael Calcroft – three ex-Lancashire police officers who have almost 60 years’ experience as qualified electricians between them.

The trio form the backbone of the new branch of the business and work all over the UK doing surveys ahead of fibre optic cable installations for Networx3’s diverse range of nationwide clients.

NAPIT is a Government-approved and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) membership scheme for the building services and fabric sector.

Stephen Melton, head of commercial at NAPIT said: “It’s great to have Networx3 on board as a NAPIT registered business. They can now extend the service they offer to their many trusted clients who require an end to end solution to their installation work.

“As part of the accreditation process with NAPIT, Networx3 will be assessed to the highest industry standards on an annual basis, giving further piece of mind to their customers.”

To find out more visit www.networx3.co.uk

SAM IS ....
NFCC Drones Conference

The NFCC will be holding a conference on the use of Drones in Fire Service operational response on 1st March 2023 at Cranage Hall, Cheshire.

The evening prior to the conference they will host a networking evening where you can come and network with your peers in a relaxed setting and be at the venue ready for the conference the next morning.

Venue:

Cranage Hall
Byley Lane,
Holmes Chapel
CW4 8EW

Date:

28–1 February 2023 (Book By 24th February)

Price:

From £125 + VAT

Click Here for More Information
SAM IS ....
Key milestone for trail-blazing medical drones project as test flights start

Drones carrying key medical supplies are taking to the skies of Northumberland this week as the trial phase of an innovative NHS project gets underway.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is partnering with Apian, a company which has come through the NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs Programme, to explore the use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to carry chemotherapy drugs, blood samples and other items between sites.

Following a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval process, test flights will be taking place from Monday, February 13, to Friday, May 12, along a route from Wansbeck General Hospital at Ashington up to Alnwick Infirmary and onto Berwick Infirmary.

Given Northumbria Healthcare’s large, predominantly rural patch across Northumberland and North Tyneside, using drones could reduce delivery times, make efficiencies and cut carbon emissions. The trial will collect logistical data and assess the impact on patient experience, staff resources and the environmental benefits.

Sir James Mackey, chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As an innovative and forward-looking organisation, we are always interested to explore initiatives which may be able to improve how we deliver care to our communities.

“With the area we cover and the number of hospitals and other sites we manage, having effective logistics to get supplies where they need to be is vital, while we are always mindful of our need to drive efficiencies and reduce our impact on the environment.

“Using drones has the potential to help us deliver important drugs and supplies in a better, smarter way, so we are looking forward to seeing how the test flights go. We are committed to providing as much care as we can in our outlying communities, so logistical routes to Alnwick and Berwick are a key focus.”

The project will use fully electric aircraft, which can take off and land vertically like a helicopter before flying horizontally like a plane by combining fixed wings with rotors. The UAVs, which are managed by Skyports Drone Services, can carry up to 3kg of payload and have a maximum speed of 110km/h (almost 70mph).

There will be six flights per day at the beginning of the trial, increasing to up to 15 flights per day at the end of the trial, delivering chemotherapy medication to Alnwick and onto Berwick Infirmary. Return flights from Alnwick and Berwick will deliver pathology samples to Wansbeck. Other items that may be delivered include blood packs, prescriptions, medical equipment and mail.

Apian co-founder and medical director, Dr Christopher Law, said: “This trial builds on Apian’s work in the Solent where we flew the world’s first chemotherapy and delivered the UK’s first prescription medicine by drone.

“While there’s still much work to be done before UAVs can operate autonomously in non-segregated airspace, there’s an equal and opposite amount of evidence for Apian to collect for how on-demand delivery can impact healthcare just as it has our personal lives.”

A period of community engagement about this project is taking place alongside the test flights. You can take part in the online survey here – https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90531102/Northumbria-drone-trial

This trial is a critical step towards the greater uptake and use of UAVs to support the NHS to build capability into existing, pressured supply chains. Apian, and not the NHS, is funding the trial.

In doing so, there is the opportunity to assess and test the hypothesis that UAVs can deliver critical medical items as efficiently as the internet moves information. This will help reduce costs to the NHS and taxpayer through automation, respond to the climate emergency (a critical undertaking for the world’s fifth largest employer and UK’s biggest single supply chain), create new local employment opportunities, and, crucially, allow for better patient care.

Anthony Cape, Northumberland Estates’ senior asset manager, said: “We wholly support the use of drone technology to revolutionise the delivery of urgent medical supplies, especially in rural communities.

“Northumberland Estates is delighted to have supplied land for hub points in the desired areas, ensuring Apian and Northumbria Healthcare have a flight network for this trial to deliver essential medical services across Northumberland.”

Rowan Brown, CEO of Museums Northumberland, said: “Museums Northumberland is delighted to be supporting this ground-breaking initiative and assisting the work of our outstanding Northumbria Healthcare Trust in achieving better health outcomes for our community.”

There is more information about the trial available in this FAQs section.

SAM IS ....
FAIWG-AI: Lets Get Flying Report – Feb 2023

Technology is revolutionising the way we fly. Remotely piloted drones are offering safer, cheaper and faster services of a scope unimaginable a decade ago. Piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are undergoing flight testing. These are quiet, zero-emissions aircraft, that will carry commercial passengers in just a few years’ time. The economic and societal potential is very real and very large. The drone sector alone is predicted to provide a positive impact worth £1.6 billion per year to UK GDP up to 2030, amounting to £45 billion in total1 and Future Flight2 has the potential to cut carbon emissions and connect society across our regions.

Find the full report here.

FAIWG-AI-Lets-get-flying-report-Feb-2023