Summary:
A German Start-Up has developed a drone and an automated system of platforms for autonomous deliveries of samples and medicines between hospitals and laboratories. Main advantages include the drone’s unique design, the low level of noise pollution, high frequency of delivery and safety standards. The company is looking for partners and investors from the medical or private sector willing to collaborate in the piloting phase in the framework of technical cooperation or financial agreements.
Description:
The delivery of goods in urban areas is increasingly creating challenges. 60% or the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2030, over two billion cars worldwide will cause even more congestion.
A German start-up has developed a new kind of drone that is embedded in an automated platform system for autonomous last mile delivery in urban areas. The start-up is a spin-off of a renowned German technical university with a focus on aerospace engineering.
The drone developed has a wingspan of about 1,20m, allowing a cruise speed of more than 140 km/h and a nominal range of 30km with an additional total reserve in the case of emergencies. For a max. payload mass of 2,5kg with a load capacity of 1 the delivery of goods over a distance of 15km takes only 7 minutes. The unique and innovative design of the drone allows for vertical takeoff and landing, then transition to horizontal flight. It is especially designed to meet the requirements for transports of goods over short distances (around 15km) in city centres and urban areas.
The platform family has a modular design and can therefore establish tailor-made networks in city centres. They can be used for an automated and autonomous transport and storage of goods. They take only little installation space, allow for automatic loading, a short swapping time and the use of standard packages. The platforms include possibilities for battery replacement/charging, transmission of data and a private UAV mailbox for automatic reception of goods. The storage capacity of each platform is scalable.
The system is especially designed and suitable for inner city areas since the noise pollution is very low due to the use of noise-reducing technologies (no high frequency buzzing, comparable to general traffic noise levels around 55 dB). The automation of processes allows for a very high frequency rate, the simultaneous handling of several clients and a speedy transport of goods. In comparison to road traffic in city centres, transport by drone is 4-5x faster (exemplary 12 km distance by car in an urban area: 24 minutes, 5 minutes by drone). The drone has no exposed rotors and is encased in a shock absorbing lightweight structure and dispenses with optical systems that could make people feel observed.
The drone can be used to transport medical samples (tissue samples, blood or other body fluids) or medicines that are urgently needed between hospitals, laboratories or other medical facilities. IT components allow for automated order transaction, delivery, notification and pickup. Bookings can be made only minutes in advance and are reliably schedulable. Goods and samples are traceable at all times by a web application (position tracking). Data protection is ensured. The technology is eco-friendly (zero operating emissions, no running engine in traffic congestion, charged with renewable energy).
The German Start-up looks for pilot customers from the medical sector (hospitals, laboratories, pathologies, pharmacies, medical logistics centres or private companies that act as logistics service providers) for technical cooperation agreements. They should support the further development of the solution by integrating it into their existing medical logistics systems for pilot projects and further test runs. The partners should engage in a regular exchange with the developers, give recommendations concerning technical optimisation potential and contribute to the further development of the invention until market maturity is reached. Also Letters of Intent of potential end-users are highly appreciated to proof market demand. Technical cooperation with the partners could also happen in smart city concepts or through test centres for drones in inner city areas.
Also venture capitalists or investors from the medical sector are sought for direct financial support in the context of financial agreements.
Type (e.g. company, R&D institution…), field of industry and Role of Partner Sought:
The German Start-up looks for potential pilot clients and end-users from the medical sector (hospitals, laboratories, pathologies, pharmacies, medical logistics centres or private companies that act as logistics service providers) for technical cooperation agreements. They should be willing to support the further development of the solution by integrating it into their existing medical logistics systems for pilot projects, further test runs and improvement. The partners sought should engage in a regular exchange with the developers, possibly give recommendations concerning technical optimisation potential, provide complementary knowhow to gain more insights about requirements for the solution from the medical side and thus contribute to the further development of the invention until the level of market maturity is reached. Also Letters of Intent of potential end-users are highly appreciated to proof market demand. Technical cooperation with the partners could also happen in smart city concepts including medical transport logistics or through test centres for drones in inner city areas to collect flight hours and further experiences in different environments and certification approaches.
Also venture capitalists or investors from the medical sector are sought for direct financial support in the context of financial agreements.
Stage of Development:
Available for demonstration
Comments Regarding Stage of Development:
Currently the technology is under demonstration and test runs are on the way in Germany and other European countries in collaboration with hospitals. A proof of principle was successfully provided last year (2020).
A first market entry is planned in the medical sector since the transport of medical samples and goods between hospitals and laboratories takes place on pre-defined, fixed routes, which makes certification easy. At a later stage, the transport of any kind of goods is envisaged (wholesale, retail, private individuals). The PoC (Proof-of-Concept) is envisaged for the end of 2021 in a demonstration project. Regular pilot operation with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) will begin in the beginning of 2022. Letters of Intent are highly appreciated. Certification and regular operation are planned for 2022, growth phase from 2023 onwards.
IPR Status:
Secret Know-how
External code:
TODE20210705001
