Drones Could Deliver Supplies During Pandemic

UK could soon use drones to deliver vital equipment such as PPEs during the coronavirus outbreak.

06:49 16 April 2020

The UK Space Agency is set to invest £2.6million on a new satellite and drone technology to support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19. The joint initiative with the European Space Agency aims to explore safer solutions to deliver equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPEs) to medical personnel providing care to patients who acquired the coronavirus. The scheme will also explore ways to prevent future pandemics using satellites. 

 

Interested companies are invited to submit their proposals, including ideas for deployment and a pilot phase, on the European Space Agency website. The initial funding will be made available to selected firms with proven expertise in the use of satellite data and drones, which are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

 

The government said that the UKSA is well placed to support the 'unprecedented national effort' of combating the virus. 

 

Science Minister Amanda Solloway, said: "This new funding will ensure that the latest innovations will be on the frontline of tackling the unique problems the coronavirus has created, helping medical staff to focus on delivering world-class care." 

 

"From new advanced software helping speed up cancer diagnoses to satellite communications connecting GPs to patients virtually, the UK space sector has been world leading in applying its innovations to supporting our brilliant NHS", she added. 

 

Professor Tony Young, the NHS national clinical lead for innovation at NHS England, welcomed the move. He said: "This is a global crisis that would overwhelm any health service on earth without strong action from the public and their public services." 

 

"This is why the NHS is looking to industries across the world - or indeed from out of this world - for new and exciting innovations that could help improve the care we provide to patients to help the NHS respond to this pandemic.