Germany’s Quantum-Systems GmbH  and the Becker & Kollegen laboratory are implementing drone delivery for coronavirus.  A test operation demonstrated that urgent samples could be transported from a mobile corona test station on the Theresienwiese to the Munich laboratory in 7 minutes – a result that could have a major positive effect on the chain of infection, says the company.

“In the event of a pandemic, a few hours may have a major influence on the development of the chain of infection,” says the company press release. “I am concerned about the individual behind each sample and the well-being of the patient in terms of the quality and speed of the findings,” says Marc Becker, M.D. “In this particular case, however, it is also about reducing risks for the many people involved in the provision of our laboratory services, such as doctors, courier services and assistants.”

Transport by drone has proven to be 8 to 12 times faster than traditional methods. “During a test flight, the autonomously operated Trinity F90+ drone from Quantum-Systems transported 20 sample tubes in less than seven minutes over the 6.4 km1 flight distance from Theresienwiese to the laboratory in Frührichstraße,” says the press release.  Couriers who usually transport by van report that under normal traffic conditions in Munich, the trip takes an hour or more.

Even more importantly during the current pandemic, the drone delivery system is contactless. Robert Hirt, Chief Digital Officer, laboratory Becker & Kollegen says: “As part of our vision of a No-Touch Sample Distribution (NTSD), our initiative with Quantum-Systems makes an important contribution to the discussion on how we can use automation and digital technology to further reduce analog touch points and the associated potential danger to humans”.