A new method of delivering medications using an unmanned aerial vehicle has been successfully tested in the Nizhny Novgorod region. A cargo of medicines was transported from Lyskovo to the village of Valki, flying over the Volga River in just ten minutes. For comparison, this journey takes about 4 hours by car or ferry. The new format reduced travel time by 25 times.
The "Alpha E" drone, produced by the Kalashnikov Group, was used for the tests. This device is capable of transporting cargo over distances of up to one hundred kilometers. It independently plotted a route, crossed the water obstacle, and landed precisely at the designated point. Specialists monitored the flight in real-time, tracking altitude, speed, battery charge, and temperature in the cargo compartment. The cargo, including temperature-sensitive drugs, was delivered safely.
The project was implemented jointly by the company "BAS" (part of the GTLK group) and the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Pharmacy. According to the participants, the test showed that the technology is ready for operation in real conditions. First of all, drones can be useful where ground logistics are difficult: in remote villages, during periods of impassability, or with limited ferry operations.