A firm is flying coronavirus antibody testing kits to remote Scottish islands by drone thanks to a £1.1 million funding agreement from the UK Space Agency.
Skysports started a two week trial of their autonomous delivery scheme in May with support from NHS Highland to serve islands off the west coast of Scotland.
They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone.
The funding arrangement is part of a wider £2.6 million funding scheme from the UK and European Space Agencies designed to find ways to help space-tech firms support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19.
Skysports started a two week trial of their autonomous delivery scheme in May with support from NHS Highland to serve islands off the west coast of Scotland
Skyports will also work to use drones to deliver other medical supplies and samples from a hospital on the Argyll and Bute mainland to the islands.
Drones use mobile connectivity, satellite communications and navigation, and Earth observation data, to chart a course to others areas of the mainland and across the sea to nearby islands to reach medical practices in need.
Skyports along with two other initiatives have been awarded a share of £1.1 million in funding, while the rest is open to bids until the end of September.
Nick Appleyard, from the European Space Agency Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, based in Oxfordshire, said companies stepped up quickly.
‘So many people have been so deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic, in UK and around the world,’ he said.
They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone
‘We are grateful to these companies for quickly stepping forwards with their ideas to relieve pressure at some key points in the NHS’ extraordinary moment of challenge. ‘
It isn’t just drones delivering medical supplies. A number of other projects shared in the £2.6 million of UK Space Agency and ESA funding.
Stevenson Astrosat, based in Musselburgh, Scotland, is developing Isolation +, which uses advanced space data analytics combined with relevant ground information, to identify ‘hidden’ vulnerable communities.
This will allow voluntary organisations and local authorities to target support to those who are exposed to the impacts of Covid-19 through poverty and age.
Skyports along with two other initiatives have been awarded a share of £1.1 million in funding, while the rest is open to bids until the end of September
The funding arrangement is part of a wider £2.6 million funding scheme from the UK and European Space Agencies designed to find ways to help space-tech firms support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19
Stay, another of the projects to be given funding, is an app being developed to help charities supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
It uses satellite communications and Earth observation satellites to reward young people with ‘badges’.
These badges will be linked to rewards, discounts or other incentives – for acting positively, according to the space agency.
Science minister Amanda Solloway said the UK now has a world leading space sector and it is stepping up to provide innovative solutions to support the NHS.
‘The projects we are backing today show UK ingenuity at its finest, and will make a real difference to how we use this latest innovative technology to deliver critical healthcare now and long into the future,’ Solloway said.
Skyports will also work to use drones to deliver other medical supplies and samples from a hospital on the Argyll and Bute mainland to the islands
The drones use mobile connectivity, satellite communications and navigation, and Earth observation data, to chart a course to others areas of the mainland and across the sea to nearby islands to reach medical practices in need
Space is already playing an important part in healthcare. Last year the UK Space Agency provided £5 million for new health technologies inspired by working in space to support NHS England.
These included providing real-time diagnosis of bowel cancer, developing more compact 3D X-ray machines and a mobile app that provided exercise plans free from air pollution for those with medical conditions such as asthma.
Meanwhile the UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme uses UK expertise to support healthcare projects all over the world.
These include forecasting and providing early warning of dengue fever outbreaks in Vietnam through Earth observation satellites and using telecommunications to extend the reach of basic medical healthcare into remote areas in Nigeria.
They found that their technology cut the time it takes to get the kits between Oban and the Isle of Mull from about 45 minutes by ferry to just 15 minutes by drone
The UK space sector employs 42,000 people and generates an income of £14.8 billion each year, according to the space agency.
Professor Tony Young, the NHS national clinical lead for innovation, said the NHS Long Term Plan is bringing new technologies into the NHS to improve patient care.
‘As we deal with the greatest challenge in the NHS’s history, innovation in medicine and convenient, faster technology are helping frontline staff to give people world-leading treatment for Covid-19 alongside care for killer conditions including cancer.’
Appleyard said: ‘We hope that these projects will now inspire even more innovators to make a difference, and we look forwards to receiving their proposals too.
‘Finally, we would like to thank the staff and workers of the NHS for their service.’