Alphabet X spinoff Wing begins drone delivery of blood samples between London hospitals
Technological Advancements in Healthcare Delivery
Alphabet X spinoff Wing has officially started delivering blood samples via drone between London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals. This program, which was announced in September, is currently running up to 10 deliveries a day from Monday to Friday. Each delivery, which takes around three minutes, can include multiple samples. The initial focus is on patients undergoing surgery who may have potential bleeding disorders.
Healthcare has emerged as a significant market for drone delivery services, with previous efforts mainly targeting remote rural areas lacking adequate medical services. However, Wing’s approach brings this technology to a major metropolitan area like London, where traffic congestion presents its own challenges for efficient and safe deliveries.
Wing expressed excitement about the positive reception to their patient-centered drone operations, as they continue to deliver blood samples crucial for clinical decision-making. Amazon, a major competitor through Prime Air, initiated same-day medication delivery in selected U.S. markets in October 2023. The expansion into more markets has been constrained by regulatory hurdles in healthcare and commercial airspace.
