Drone School Meal Delivery Trial For Scots Pupils

Argyle and Bute Council considers the use of drone technology in delivering lunches for children in remote areas.

19:40 22 June 2022

Argyle and Bute Council has partnered with drone specialists Skyports as it explores the use of unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in delivering lunches for kids in the Scottish Isles. 

 

According to plans, the food will be prepared in Park Primary School in Oban and will fly from Oban Airport to be delivered to Lochnell Primary, which is located 1.5km away. 

 

Proposals to use drone technology in the delivery of food were made to ensure that school meals are delivered on time regardless of weather conditions. 

 

All P1-P5 pupils are entitled to free school meals, as are all pupils in early years as part of Scotland's 1,140 hours a year of childcare scheme. 

 

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council: “We are committed to connecting remote and island communities to vital mainland services. The possibilities of using UAVs to improve services to our communities is quite staggering.

 

“Argyll and Bute is the perfect location to test the efficiency of drone technology. We have already seen how drones can deliver essential medical supplies to our islands and now we want to make sure all pupils have access to healthy school meals.

 

“This is just the start of what is possible using drones as we look to create the UK’s first UAV logistics and training Hub at Oban Airport. From maintaining our assets including roads and bridges to inspecting offshore wind farms, developing the use of drones will help develop skills, create jobs and attract further and investment to the area.”