Project Care by Air to deliver urgent medical cargo in Halton region

Project Care by Air took flight today from the DSV transport facility in Milton to Oakville Trafalgar hospital.

The goal of the project is to demonstrate through weekly test flights that this is a safe and effective way to get time-sensitive medical supplies to the hospital quickly. Eventually, this drone could be delivering medical isotopes, human blood, and tissue.

They don’t have the special approval just yet to fly radioactive isotopes or medical samples, goods that are considered dangerous in this drone.

The isotopes will come from McMaster University, Halton healthcare says getting approved to fly medical supplies and treatments will change the game.

The fully electric drone is programmed with the route so a safety pilot won’t have to do much. Up to 10 pounds of medical supplies will be loaded into the drone.

When the drone arrives at Oakville Trafalgar hospital, another landing pad awaits, the trip is 20 minutes one way.

Those involved in the project say every minute matters when these kinds of medical supplies are shipped. For now, the drone will continue with test flights.