ITOCHU, Wingcopter’s partner in Japan, has tested research blood transfusion using Wingcopter’s delivery drone in a research project. In cooperation with ANA Holdings and the local blood center of the Japanese Red Cross, the research blood was transported between the cities of Urasui and Nago in Okinawa Prefecture.
The project aims to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of drones in delivering blood products, with the long-term goal of reducing the burden on delivery personnel and preparing for disasters, especially in areas where traditional means of transportation are ineffective. Okinawa Prefecture, with its 48 inhabited islands, is a prime example of this region. Supplying these islands using traditional delivery methods requires a lot of staff and time. Through drone deliveries, it will be possible to transport only the required quantity at the precise moment it is needed. This allows a rapid and efficient supply of blood products, even in emergency situations and in response to natural disasters. Depending on weather conditions, the 53-kilometre test route between Urasu and Nago was covered by the Wingcopter in less than 32 minutes.
A special transport container was used to keep the blood at a constant temperature of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius during the flight. In addition, experts have also investigated the potential effects of drone transport on the quality of blood supplied.
Okinawa Prefecture is located in the southernmost part of Japan and is known for its high temperatures in the summer. Prior to the Proof of Concept (POC), we conducted several fundamental studies confirming the temperature management capability of the UAV Blood Delivery Box, which was manufactured and modified by SUGIYAMA-GEN CO., LTD. In Tokyo. “In addition, we were able to transfuse the blood in a manner that complies with the Japanese Guidelines for Drone Drug Transport,” explains Hiroshi Fujita, MD, PhD, director of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at Tokyo Metropolitan Bokuto Hospital. “The types of blood transfused are Red blood cell fluid and whole blood. Both blood types are likely to be used in disasters and emergencies and require strict temperature control of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. The guidelines also require measures to deal with vibrations that occur during transportation. In this evidence, we were able to confirm that the blood group transported by vehicle and drone was of similar quality to the blood of the non-drone group (the control group). The results of this validation therefore show that drones may be useful as a means of transporting blood appropriately to where it is needed. We hope to see Level 4 testing of blood transfusion by drone in the future.
Armando Querig Geisinger, Chief Revenue Officer at Wingcopter“We are pleased to have worked on this project with ITOCHU, ANA and other partners, and that we have once again been able to demonstrate the versatility of the Wingcopter 198. It is important to test as many real-world applications as possible,” he comments. We meet a wide range of conditions before type certification is granted, so that we can then expand throughout Japan with our partners.
Kenji Suzuki, Vice President of ANA Holdings Inc.He adds; “Building on ANA’s technology and experience accumulated over more than 70 years of aircraft operation, ANA has made safe, high-speed, long-distance flights using the Wingcopter. In collaboration with ITOCHU and Wingcopter, ANA will take on the challenge of solving problems faced in the transportation of blood products.“
Masaharu Sato, Deputy General Manager, Aerospace Division, ITOCHU Corporation“The feasibility study in Okinawa Prefecture brings us one step closer to our goal of providing drone-based services that meet the diverse needs and social problems of Japanese society. That is why we have already conducted POC operations with different concentrations in Hokkaido and Niigata, among other places,” he adds. We intend to conduct more operations in the coming months.
ITOCHU plans to integrate several delivery drones operating simultaneously into the traditional ground supply network in the future, helping to maintain a sustainable medical system, even in the event of labor shortages and crisis emergencies. In addition, the company aims to offer a commercial drone delivery service, where the Wingcopter 198 will be used, among other things, to deliver high-priority medical and pharmaceutical products.
In March 2024, Wingcopter, with support from ITOCHU, applied for type certification in Japan for the Wingcopter 198 and was the first foreign company to be accepted for the type approval process by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Land, infrastructure, transport and tourism. Successful completion of the operation would allow commercial flights beyond line of sight (BVLOS) and over populated areas.
