We're Testing Drones To Help Front-line Teams

If you work in Roanoke, you might notice some flying helpers over the next couple of weeks. We are collaborating with DroneUp, a drone delivery company headquartered in Virginia Beach, for phase two of testing how drones may be able to support patient-care teams.

DroneUp first visited Carilion a year ago to start proof-of-concept testing, exploring how drones can help front-line teams by delivering materials, warehouse goods, medicine and more. During that visit, the team learned how to navigate the busy airspace around CRMH.

Phase two testing takes place over the next few weeks. During phase two, we will test different scenarios around home deliveries, deliveries from further away (like Tanglewood), field deliveries to ambulances and more. We will also test DroneUp’s DBX machine, which provides climate-controlled package management and storage from a footprint the size of a parking space. The DBX machine is located at Riverside next to the surface parking lot. We'll also be testing which items are best suited for drone delivery. 

During testing over the next two weeks, teams will send and retrieve drone-delivered items from the secured box. The drone will fly from a remote location and autonomously secure the package before flying to its destination. This is the first time DroneUp has tested this new technology. Drone dispatchers will work directly with our Center for Transportation and Communication (CTaC) to ensure situational awareness of the busy air traffic space around our Roanoke campus.

After this study, we will continue to look for ways drones can help us, including the delivery of warehouse goods, linens, or even medications to our community markets.

“While we’re currently focusing on Roanoke, we have much bigger hopes for the future of drone deliveries in healthcare. We’re really just breaking the surface,” said Paul Davenport, vice president of Emergency Medicine. “We hope to explore future DroneUp collaboration, applying innovative solutions like DBX to meet the logistical needs of our entire footprint. The potential to remove barriers to care for patients is another major driver. This project will have big implications not just for our region, but for peers and patients across the country.”

Paul recently presented at the South by Southwest festival with DroneUp. The team was featured nationally for their innovation exploration of the adaptation of drone delivery to support frontline healthcare teams.

We’ll continue to provide updates as this partnership evolves. If you have questions, please contact Kevin Hall, Department of Emergency Medicine, at klhall3@carilionclinic.org.