Liangjiang launches first medical supply drone route

A drone delivers medical supplies in Liangjiang. [Photo/WeChat account of Liangjiang New Area]

A delivery of medical supplies by multi-rotor drone on May 13 to a dedicated helipad at Chongqing People's Hospital in Liangjiang New Area marked the inaugural flight of the region's first medical supply drone transport route.

The TR9S drone, which boasts a payload capacity of 9 kilograms and can travel up to 30 kilometers when empty and 20 kilometers when fully loaded, completed the 12-kilometer journey in just 19 minutes.

According to Fan Xiaozhong, general manager of Chongqing Fasi Aviation Technology Co, aerial delivery of emergency medicines can reduce delivery time by over 50 percent.

Fan added that this innovation facilitates the precise delivery of medical supplies at the "minute level", enhancing routine services and emergency response capabilities. It offers significant advantages in urgent scenarios such as infectious disease control, blood transport, and sample testing.

The route primarily transports medicines, but plans are underway to expand its use to include the transportation of blood and test samples. The goal is to establish regular drone flights for delivering high-value and emergency rescue products.

Fasi Aviation, founded in Liangjiang in February, is committed to developing and applying drone technology in medical scenarios. The company also plans to explore drone immediate retail delivery applications and participate in Chongqing's village-to-village drone connectivity project.