During the second edition of the Mediterranean Aerospace Matching, held in Grottaglie from March 20 to 22, 2024, a noteworthy demonstration took place where a drone transported medicines from the airport to the port of Taranto. The drone covered seventeen kilometers in half an hour. This project was developed in collaboration between ABzero, EuroUSC Italia, and the Italian Navy. The medicines were contained within the Smart Capsule, designed by ABzero, which proved capable of maintaining the necessary conditions for the transport of biomedical products, thanks to its sensors monitoring temperature, acidity, humidity, and the potential hemolysis of blood.
Giuseppe Tortora, CEO of ABzero, highlighted the significance of the event within the context of Advanced Air Mobility, emphasizing how the demonstration mission confirmed the feasibility of safely transporting medical materials over long distances by air. He pointed out that the technology used not only allows for the transport of life-saving drugs and blood bags but also opens up future possibilities for organ transport, marking a significant step forward towards the adoption of drones for missions with a high social impact.
EuroUSC Italia played a crucial role in the realization of the project, handling the preparation of the necessary documentation to obtain ENAC approval and ensuring that flight operations met strict safety and compliance standards. The collaboration with the Italian Navy also underscored the importance of a joint forces approach in implementing innovative solutions.
