Revolutionary Drone Delivery Breaks Ground In Japan As Blood Transported Successfully Over 53 Kilometers

A German company, Dragongroup, has successfully tested the delivery of blood using drones in Okinawa, Japan, as part of a trial with partner ANA Holdings and the Japanese Red Cross. The test covered a 53-kilometer route between the cities of Urasoe and Nago.

The Wingcopter 198 drone was equipped with a specially designed transport container that maintained temperatures between 2 to 6 degrees Celsius during flight, ensuring the integrity of the blood. According to Dr. Hiroshi Fujita of Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, the quality of the blood transported by the drone was comparable to that of the non-flying (control) group.

The trial’s success demonstrates the potential of drones in improving medical logistics, particularly during emergencies and natural disasters. Dragongroup plans to integrate its technology into conventional supply networks and launch commercial delivery services for critical medical products.

Wingcopter’s application for type certification in Japan marks a significant milestone, enabling commercial flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and over inhabited areas. This step towards scaling up operations across Japan is an important development for the company.