API holdings conducts drone trial for medicines delivery in Karnataka

RetailIO has successfully conducted deliveries of medicines through drones in Karnataka’s Gauribidanur district. The trials were conducted in partnership with Redwing Labs.   

The pilot drone delivery was focused on providing critical medicines to hospitals in a time span of under 10 minutes, along with maintaining temperatures and all other norms. The pilot team conducted four trips with a mix of different products. 

“We believe autonomous drone systems are the future and will help the ecosystem get better. This is the future and we will continue to focus on such kinds of innovations,” said Harsh Parekh, Co-founder of API holdings. 

Also read: Swiggy, ANRA conduct first ever delivery trials of food, medicine with drones

The drones flew between Gauribidanur and Hosur Primary Healthcare centre in the district of Chikkaballapur utilising a hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone. The Drones had a payload capacity of 2 kgs and travelled an average speed of 90 Kmph, covering 10 kms under 8 minutes. 

The drones used were fully electric and Parekh claimed that their usage could result in 90% in carbon emissions as compared to using transport vehicles. 

“The success of the pilot opens up tremendous opportunities to provide exceptional service and healthcare supplies to the remotest part of the country,” said RetailIO CEO Mithil Jain.