The operational phase of a drone delivery service for medicines launched today in Italy’s Abruzzo region. This initiative falls under the European U-ELCOME (U-space European COMmon dEpLoyment) project, co-funded by the Horizon program. U-ELCOME aims to support the widespread adoption of U-space services across European skies, enabling safe and coordinated operations alongside traditional aircraft.
Promoted by Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), the project involves collaboration with the ASL 1 Abruzzo health authority – utilizing hospitals in L’Aquila and Avezzano – and the municipalities of Collelongo, Montereale, and Rocca di Mezzo within the Sirente Velino Regional Park.
The service was formally presented in the town of Collelongo, L’Aquila province, featuring a drone successfully delivering medicines from Avezzano Hospital to the local pharmacy. A press conference detailing the project included Collelongo Mayor Rosanna Salucci, acting ASL 1 Director General Stefano Di Rocco, President of the Mayors’ Restricted Committee Pierluigi Biondi, Park President Francesco D’Amore, and Telespazio’s R&D End Users Opportunities Manager Roberto Carattoli.
This project targets improved accessibility to hospital medicines, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas, while guaranteeing timeliness, safety, and environmental sustainability. During authorized testing phases, configured as an operational service by the ASL, drones conducted scheduled deliveries under controlled conditions. These operations strictly adhered to current safety and privacy regulations, facilitated by the cooperation of pharmacies in the participating towns.
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