Overview
Tom Cherrett, Professor of Logistics and Transport Management, University of Southampton, will give an overview of how drones are being used across a range of industrial sectors, focussing on their scope for assisting medical logistics, using experiences from trials undertaken in the Solent region.
Lynn’s Review
Tom Cherrett, Professor of Logistics and Transport Management at Southampton University, gave a fascinating insight into the use of drones locally, and globally, and opened up a whole new train of thought related to the movement of medical products and – in this fast-developing field of transport (quite scarily) - cups of coffee!
The construction of drones is ongoing, and each design has different capabilities:
A “Windracer fixed wing drone,” was the first pilotless craft to deliver medical supplies, from Cornwall, to the Isles of Scilly in December 2020.
Helicopter drones, capable of vertical take- off, are used in air sea rescue operations.
Multicopter drones also have vertical take- off, and so, unlike the fixed wing drones, they need no extra space. They are also able to hover, making them ideal for surveillance and imaging. They have a wide range of uses.
Hybrid drones, combine fixed wing with rotors, for vertical take- off. They also utilise two or more forms of energy, allowing for longer flight times and heavier payloads.
Drones have many uses from crop spraying and life- saving rescue services, to acting as sheep dogs to herd various animals; from creating light shows in the sky to scanning barcodes in warehouses. Drones are also used in warfare, and for less than £1000, it’s possible to 3D print a drone capable of taking out a tank!
In Australia, a company called: “Wing Aviation,” (a subsidiary of Google’s parent company: Alphabet) began, five years ago, to deliver household items; 30% of these items were cups of coffee.
Residents in Gunghalin, Canberra, started a petition against the deliveries, and 1,043 people signed it. Their reasons included: limited opportunity for the public to give feedback on this trial, and potential risks to pets and wildlife, together with the right to enjoy peace, privacy and a good quality of life. Deliveries in Canberra have since ceased, but are ongoing in Queensland.
Residents in Dublin, Ireland, have also been expressing concerns, since, “Manna Aeronautics,” began delivering food there a year ago. Their drones fly at 50mph and can carry 8.8lbs, delivering to homes within 3 minutes. These flights, in public airspace have regulatory oversight. The company are expanding their operations despite public concerns; (Maybe residents should read the report on the Australian protest – link below).
In the UK, drones which go beyond the line of sight need to have a temporary danger area permit (An area that could endanger aircraft). Professor Cherrett, managed to obtain a permit in order to test fly a large drone to the Isle of Wight on 9th May 2020, with the intention of investigating drone use by the NHS (Covid19 led to less movement in airspace and so helped to secure this trial flight).
In the field of logistics, drones, could be useful for transporting medical payloads; they could be beneficial to the NHS. Currently, every GP surgery is visited by van, twice a day, to collect medical samples and the accompanying paperwork. The samples are taken to Portsmouth or Southampton for analysis. Isle of Wight surgeries, also need to add travel by ferry to the journey. For doctors awaiting the results of blood tests, time is important, and the vans, travelling from one GP surgery to the next before arriving at the relevant hospital, take up precious time. The question is, can drones improve this service?
Integrated logistics is the answer: the use of vans, electric bicycles, and drone use to more remote areas. The 500 patient transfer vehicles used here in the south, could also transport medicines and samples.
There is still much to consider, such as: who loads the drones? How are the samples/results/medicines delivered from the drone, to the surgery/NHS? What type of packaging is best for a smooth ride (They need to be crash-proof)? How will drugs, such as chemotherapy drugs respond to the movement and vibration of the journey? Can drones lift the necessary weight? How does weather affect the delivery? Are drones reliable? How about safe use of the air space, without causing a nuisance or danger to wildlife?
All of the above are being worked on and drones will, no doubt, be seen more frequently.
According to an article published in 2023, the UK is set for the world’s largest and longest drone superhighway following a £5 million deal between Etc (A department within British Telecom) and “Altitude Angel,” (There is a link below).
I don’t know how you feel about this new technology? There are many benefits when used as Professor Cherrett suggests, for example: quicker delivery; less fuel used and a reduction of emissions; but, as shown by the people of Dublin and Canberra, there could be a battle ahead with regards to commercial, profit driven deliveries, and the detrimental impact posed by this technology.
Some Interesting Links:
One of the current projects at Southampton University:
Fixed wing drones:
https://www.aeroexpo.online/aeronautic-manufacturer/fixed-wing-uav-520.html
A cargo drone flew from Cornwall out to HMS Prince of Wales in 2023
https://www.navylookout.com/the-first-fixed-wing-uav-lands-on-a-royal-navy-aircraft-carrier/
HM Coastguard’s first operational drone flight in 2021
2025 guide to drones and their uses
https://www.jouav.com/blog/drone-types.html
Australian Legislative Assembly rules on drones
https://epetitions.parliament.act.gov.au/details/023-18
The UK drone highway
A new hybrid air- vehicle: Airlander!
https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/airlander/faqs/
For a brief history of drones going back to 1917 see: