Kortrijk, August 14, 2024 – In a groundbreaking test flight, a drone successfully completed a 4 km journey between Residential Care Center De Zon in Bellegem, managed by Zorg Kortrijk, and General Hospital Groeninge in Kortrijk. This flight, conducted beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot, marks a significant milestone in the TETRA project ‘Medical Drone Supplies’ (MEDROS), led by VIVES University of Applied Sciences.
The MEDROS project aims not only to explore but also to implement the possibilities of drone technology for transporting medical goods within the Flemish healthcare sector as well as to integrate it into the entire healthcare logistics chain. This flight provided concrete evidence that the rapid and efficient exchange of medical samples is possible through drones. Additionally, project partner KU Leuven is conducting a comparison between the quality of blood samples transported by drone and those transported by road.
The drone flight partially took place within the geozone of Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport, where strict safety regulations apply to drone flights. This test is unique: it is the first time that a drone has flown beyond the pilot’s line of sight in this geozone without the need to interrupt other air traffic.
The safety of the operation was ensured by using SkeyDrone’s BVLOS framework, which is based on a range of advanced digital services, guaranteeing the safety of everyone in the air and on the ground. The flight was conducted by ADLC, a Belgian start-up experienced in the transport of petrochemical samples within the Port of Antwerp. The drone was operated fully automatically throughout the flight, with real-time remote monitoring from ADLC’s operations control room.
The flight was closely monitored by a team of experts, and the collected data will be analysed to formulate further recommendations.
“We are very pleased with the results of this test flight,” says Joke Van Vooren, Lecturer and Project Staff Member Aviation at VIVES. “It demonstrates that drones can be a valuable addition to our current transport methods, especially in emergencies where speed is crucial. This is an important step toward more efficient and faster transport of medical goods within the healthcare sector.”
“At AZ Groeninge, we are open to innovation in the healthcare sector. The MEDROS project gave us the opportunity to contribute to the technical and economic aspects of drone transportation in healthcare. Although it had already been demonstrated that this is possible, we also find it important to know that this can be done safely and that the quality of the goods can be guaranteed,” states Brian Desplinter, Innovation Project Leader at AZ Groeninge.
“The successful completion of this medical transport flight is a testament to the versatility and potential of drone delivery services. We are proud to use our experience to contribute to the healthcare sector by offering an efficient, convenient and sustainable alternative to current means of transportation,” adds Rayan Quintaes, Co-founder & Managing Director at ADLC.
“This test flight perfectly illustrates how our BVLOS framework can ensure the safety and efficiency of drone operations, even in complex airspace. It is a significant step toward the integration of drone technology in critical sectors such as healthcare,” comments Didier Decaestecker, Head of Sales at SkeyDrone.
About VIVES
VIVES University of Applied Sciences offers contemporary, competency-based higher education, innovative practice-oriented research, and community service, providing creative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. With 17,500 students and 1,500 staff members across the study areas of biotechnology, healthcare, business and management, technology, education, and social work, VIVES is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Flanders, with campuses in Bruges, Kortrijk, Ostend, Roeselare, and Torhout.
About AZ Groeninge
AZ Groeninge from Kortrijk has 1,000 beds and is one of the large Flemish hospitals. 3,200 employees, 250 doctors and 200 volunteers provide safe and high-quality care every day. In the annual ranking “Best hospitals of the world” by Newsweek, AZ Groeninge ranks 6th for Belgium. It is the first non-university hospital in the Belgian Top 20. AZ Groeninge was named Healthcare Employer of the Year in 2023.
About ADLC
ADLC is a start-up specialised in drone delivery services, specifically targeting the B2B industrial sector. Their commitment is to transform operational efficiency by enabling ultra-fast delivery of goods in industries where time, cost and emissions are critical.
About SkeyDrone
SkeyDrone is a joint venture between the Belgian Air Navigation Service Provider skeyes and Brussels Airport Company. The company’s mission is to provide end-to-end solutions for business needs related to the use of uncrewed aircraft (drones). SkeyDrone offers solutions for lower airspace monitoring, management of and protection against drones for authorities and geo-zone managers, UTM/U-space & consultancy services for drone operators and business integration services for companies. Playing a pivotal role in the implementation of U-space in Belgium, SkeyDrone is on track to make history by becoming one of the first U-space service providers in Europe.
