Luxembourg will soon see the introduction of a specialised drone designed for transporting medical samples. Scheduled for its inaugural flight in July, the initiative, named GRIFFIN, aims to explore the feasibility of utilising drones for medical transport within the Grand Duchy.

Luxembourg Air Ambulance (LAA) spearheads the project, leveraging its aviation expertise as the project manager. Having obtained certification to operate commercial drones, LAA personnel recently underwent comprehensive training with the drone's manufacturer, RigiTech in Switzerland.

The project reached a milestone with the completion of a comprehensive study assessing the consequences and risks associated with drone usage. In May 2024, the state-of-the-art Eiger UAV, renowned for its performance in similar global projects, was delivered to LAA. The Eiger boasts a payload capacity of 3 kilograms in a specially designed medical bag compartment, accommodating up to 180 blood tubes, a minimum of three blood bags, or a variety of medical supplies. With a range of approximately 100 kilometres, the Eiger promises unparalleled speed and efficiency in medical supply transportation. According to RigiTech, the drone's manufacturer, this method reduces carbon emissions by 95% compared to road transport.

RTL

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Currently, certification for the drone's designated flight route is underway. The first test flights with the Eiger UAV are slated for June 2024, with the inaugural transport flight expected in July 2024 upon route certification and completion of all tests.

The collaborative effort behind GRIFFIN, established in July 2023, includes Laboratoires Réunis, Luxembourg Air Ambulance S.A., POST Luxembourg, and Santé Services. As part of this pioneering, cutting-edge project for the Grand Duchy, these entities are exploring the potential benefits of drone technology for delivering medical samples in Luxembourg.