Swiss Post and drone manufacturer Matternet are working together with an aim to transport lab samples between two hospitals in Lugano, southern Switzerland.
The use of drones would ensure the secure exchange of lab samples with regular flights between the two Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) hospitals in Lugano Ospedale Italiano and Ospedale Civico.
Swiss Post believes that the drones could be in regular operation between the two sites from next year, but the drones must prove that they meet strict safety, practicality and reliability requirements before then.
This month, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation will be inspecting the drones and the first test flights will take place in Lugano. Swiss Post, the EOC hospital group and Matternet will be presenting the project in detail at a media event as soon as the relevant approvals have been achieved.
Swiss Post and Matternet first tested the use of drones in logistics in the summer of 2015.
March 14, 2017