A hospital in southern Germany has begun using drones to fly blood samples between sites, significantly cutting delivery times and ensuring reliability regardless of road traffic conditions.
A hospital in Balingen, southern Germany, has launched an innovative drone transport system to deliver blood samples between its facilities. The initiative, led by Zollernalb Hospital in partnership with drone logistics company Labfly, aims to reduce delays caused by road traffic and ensure timely laboratory analysis.
Previously, the hospital relied on ground transport for moving blood samples across its two sites—an approach often hindered by traffic on the busy roads separating the facilities. According to Gerhard Hinger, Managing Director of Zollernalb Hospital, delivery by car could take up to an hour or longer depending on congestion. In contrast, drone delivery consistently takes just 12 minutes.
The drones operate autonomously along pre-programmed routes but are monitored remotely for safety. Kolja Klein, co-founder of Labfly and manager of the project, explained that while the drone functions automatically, it can be manually controlled in case of unforeseen obstacles such as blocked landing areas or other aircraft in the vicinity.
To further ensure operational safety, the drones are equipped with redundant motor systems. In the event of a technical fault, these redundancies allow the drone to safely reach a landing site even if one or more motors fail.
A laboratory assistant receives the drone upon landing, unpacks the blood samples, and transfers them for testing. The hospital expects this system to boost efficiency and improve patient care by minimising delays.
As the healthcare industry increasingly explores drone technology for logistics, this project demonstrates how automation and aerial delivery can offer practical solutions in clinical settings.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Panama, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS)...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has urged the White House to take immediate steps to address the growing threat of drone attacks on the United States, ...
Accidental poisonings among young children in the U.S. are rising sharply due to nicotine pouches and vaping, with a study warning of serious health r...
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Washington has successfully contributed to resolving the long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and ...
The Financial Stability Board (FSB), the G20’s financial regulator, has paused further climate policy work as the United States distances itself fro...
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Germany’s public debt is projected to climb from 62.5% to 74% of GDP by 2030, driven by record defence and infrastructure spending, according to a report by the European rating agency Scope.
Trump pledges to send Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine through NATO, despite intensifying Russian attacks and rising civilian casualties. Zelenskyy hails the move as critical for defending cities.
Germany and the UK will sign a new 'friendship treaty' next week to deepen cooperation on foreign policy, security, and economic ties amid global challenges.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
French member of parliament Olivier Marleix was found dead at his home on Monday, with suicide being considered a possible cause.
Sotheby’s in New York is set to auction the largest known piece of Mars ever found on Earth—a 54-pound (24.67 kg) meteorite named NWA 16788.
AI is revolutionising the insurance industry—from claims processing to customer experience—but real gains depend on how deeply it’s embedded across operations.
Iran has opened the first phase of its largest solar power plant as part of a major government programme to expand renewable energy capacity.
A rocket launched by Taiwanese company TiSpace from Japan's northern Hokkaido island failed shortly after takeoff on Saturday, falling short of its goal to become the first foreign firm to complete a successful launch from Japanese soil.
Around 2,145 senior-ranking employees at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are set to leave under a push to shed staff, Politico reported on Wednesday citing documents obtained by the news outlet.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment