Covid-19 antibody tests are being delivered to Scottish Islands by DRONE thanks to £1.1million funding boost from the UK Space Agency

  • Drone firm Skyports is flying the testing kits between various Scottish islands
  • They cut delivery from Oban to the Isle of Mull from 45 minutes to 15 minutes
  • The drones use satellite positioning and observation data to plot their routes
  • It is part of a wider £2.6 million UK Space Agency health tech funding scheme 

A firm is flying coronavirus antibody testing kits to remote Scottish islands by drone thanks to a £1.1 million funding agreement from the UK Space Agency. 

Skyports started a two-week trial of their autonomous delivery scheme in May with support from NHS Highland to serve islands off the west coast of Scotland.

They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone.

The funding arrangement is part of a wider £2.6 million funding scheme from the UK and European Space Agencies designed to find ways to help space-tech firms support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19. 

Skyports started a two-week trial of their autonomous delivery scheme in May with support from NHS Highland to serve islands off the west coast of Scotland

Skyports started a two-week trial of their autonomous delivery scheme in May with support from NHS Highland to serve islands off the west coast of Scotland 

Skyports will also work to use drones to deliver other medical supplies and samples from a hospital on the Argyll and Bute mainland to the islands. 

Drones use mobile connectivity, satellite communications and navigation, and Earth observation data, to chart a course to others areas of the mainland and across the sea to nearby islands to reach medical practices in need. 

Skyports along with two other initiatives have been awarded a share of £1.1 million in funding, while the rest is open to bids until the end of September.

Nick Appleyard, from the European Space Agency Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, based in Oxfordshire, said companies stepped up quickly.

'So many people have been so deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic, in UK and around the world,' he said. 

They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone

They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone

'We are grateful to these companies for quickly stepping forwards with their ideas to relieve pressure at some key points in the NHS' extraordinary moment of challenge. ' 

It isn't just drones delivering medical supplies. A number of other projects shared in the £2.6 million of UK Space Agency and ESA funding. 

Stevenson Astrosat, based in Musselburgh, Scotland, is developing Isolation +, which uses advanced space data analytics combined with relevant ground information, to identify 'hidden' vulnerable communities. 

This will allow voluntary organisations and local authorities to target support to those who are exposed to the impacts of Covid-19 through poverty and age. 

Skyports along with two other initiatives have been awarded a share of £1.1 million in funding, while the rest is open to bids until the end of September

Skyports along with two other initiatives have been awarded a share of £1.1 million in funding, while the rest is open to bids until the end of September

The funding arrangement is part of a wider £2.6 million funding scheme from the UK and European Space Agencies designed to find ways to help space-tech firms support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19

The funding arrangement is part of a wider £2.6 million funding scheme from the UK and European Space Agencies designed to find ways to help space-tech firms support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19

Stay, another of the projects to be given funding, is an app being developed to help charities supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing.

It uses satellite communications and Earth observation satellites to reward young people with 'badges'.

These badges will be linked to rewards, discounts or other incentives – for acting positively, according to the space agency.

Science minister Amanda Solloway said the UK now has a world leading space sector and it is stepping up to provide innovative solutions to support the NHS.  

'The projects we are backing today show UK ingenuity at its finest, and will make a real difference to how we use this latest innovative technology to deliver critical healthcare now and long into the future,' Solloway said.

Skyports will also work to use drones to deliver other medical supplies and samples from a hospital on the Argyll and Bute mainland to the islands

Skyports will also work to use drones to deliver other medical supplies and samples from a hospital on the Argyll and Bute mainland to the islands

The drones use mobile connectivity, satellite communications and navigation, and Earth observation data, to chart a course to others areas of the mainland and across the sea to nearby islands to reach medical practices in need

The drones use mobile connectivity, satellite communications and navigation, and Earth observation data, to chart a course to others areas of the mainland and across the sea to nearby islands to reach medical practices in need

Space is already playing an important part in healthcare. Last year the UK Space Agency provided £5 million for new health technologies inspired by working in space to support NHS England. 

These included providing real-time diagnosis of bowel cancer, developing more compact 3D X-ray machines and a mobile app that provided exercise plans free from air pollution for those with medical conditions such as asthma.

Meanwhile the UK Space Agency's International Partnership Programme uses UK expertise to support healthcare projects all over the world.

These include forecasting and providing early warning of dengue fever outbreaks in Vietnam through Earth observation satellites and using telecommunications to extend the reach of basic medical healthcare into remote areas in Nigeria. 

They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone

They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone

The UK space sector employs 42,000 people and generates an income of £14.8 billion each year, according to the space agency. 

Professor Tony Young, the NHS national clinical lead for innovation, said the NHS Long Term Plan is bringing new technologies into the NHS to improve patient care.

'As we deal with the greatest challenge in the NHS's history, innovation in medicine and convenient, faster technology are helping frontline staff to give people world-leading treatment for Covid-19 alongside care for killer conditions including cancer.'

Appleyard said: 'We hope that these projects will now inspire even more innovators to make a difference, and we look forwards to receiving their proposals too. 

'Finally, we would like to thank the staff and workers of the NHS for their service.'

E-COMMERCE FIRMS ARE USING DRONES FOR DELIVERIES

Delivery firms are pioneering a host of new technologies to tackle the last mile of deliveries.

It is hoped the vehicles can cut the inefficiencies, and hence costs, of the final stage of delivery, in which packages are taken from a central hub to your door.

Amazon envisions making last mile deliveries with an army of autonomous drones that drop packages on your doorstep.

Amazon has billed the service 'Prime Air' and claims the drones will increase the overall safety and efficiency of its transport system. 

Amazon envisions making last mile deliveries with an army of autonomous drones (pictured) that drop packages on your doorstep. It has billed the service 'Prime Air'

Amazon envisions making last mile deliveries with an army of autonomous drones (pictured) that drop packages on your doorstep. It has billed the service 'Prime Air'

Just one pilot could oversee several of the drones at once, meaning the firm could someday pay fewer people to make the same number of deliveries.

Another company, Starship Technologies, envisions its autonomous delivery service using land-based robots.

Each six-wheeled 'ground drone' is almost completely self-driving, and is constantly connected to the internet, using GPS to find its destination.

Walking on the pavement at about 4mph (3km/h), robots can complete local deliveries within five to 30 minutes from a local hub or retail outlet.

Self-driving cars are another last mile option being considered by some delivery companies.

Another company, Starship Technologies, envisions its autonomous delivery service using land-based robots (pictured)

Another company, Starship Technologies, envisions its autonomous delivery service using land-based robots (pictured)

Supermarket operator Kroger is testing a fleet of self-driving grocery cars that can carry as many as ten bags of shopping to your door.

Customers can order groceries via Kroger's website or mobile app and select same-day or next-day delivery. 

Customers who take advantage of Kroger's driverless grocery delivery system will still have to walk to the curb outside their house to retrieve the groceries.