TS, World Economic Forum sign agreement on drone deliveries

Hyderabad: As India makes strides in regulating its low-altitude air space for unmanned systems, the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network today announced that it will embark on an innovative drone-delivery project called Medicine from the Sky. The project will run in partnership with the State Government of Telangana and HealthNet Global and will include a comprehensive study of drone-based deliveries for blood, vaccines, medical samples and organs.

The project will help facilitate better decision-making in healthcare supply chains, focus on "last-mile" deliveries to augment national healthcare programmes and address issues that affect the medical distribution system.

"Telangana is one of the most progressive states in India that understands the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how it can impact the people of the state. We hope that through this pilot with the World Economic Forum, we can inform the Centre on the regulations that can help us positively use drones and unlock the potential of India by harnessing technology," said Jayesh Ranjan of Government of Telangana.

HealthNet Global Limited highlighted their commitment to the engagement of drones in the healthcare sector. "The partnership between World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, Government of Telangana and HealthNet Global Limited would embark on a historic effort to pilot the transport of medical supplies using drones," said K Hari Prasad of HealthNet Global Limited. "This study will provide an evidence-based approach for implementation of drones in healthcare, enabling emergency-care services to the patients in the shortest time frame possible, thus saving their lives."

"This is a landmark development for unmanned aerial technology in the region," said Murat Sönmez, Managing Director and Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network. "We are pleased to work with the State Government of Telangana on this endeavour. Drones have immense applications in the healthcare sector. The roll-out of Medicine from the Sky project in India could be transformational."