Aerospace innovators this week announced a new drone partnership to design and build a drone delivery system that could benefit NHS Wales and other healthcare providers. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, SLiNK-TECH and Aerovolt agreed to collaborate on integrating the automated vertiport system designed by Bristol-based SLiNK-TECH with Aerovolts world-first charging network for electric aircraft.

The partners say this will make drone logistics cost-effective and scalable, and their technology could play a key role in creating drone healthcare supply chains in Wales and across the UK.

'Aerovolt are thrilled to partner with both SLiNK-TECH and Snowdonia Aerospace Centre at the forefront of real-world drone tech application, and even more excited about the potential applications for our technology within the Welsh NHS, and the practical life-saving benefit that it can have' said Guy Haydon, Chief Commercial Officer at Aerovolt.

The partnership follows on from Snowdonia Aerospace Centre and SLiNK-TECH's work to develop operational concepts and standard operating procedures for a proposed NHS Wales drone network that could assist the Welsh Blood Service and Welsh Ambulance Service Trust in restocking ambulances and transporting complex cross-matches. The network takes into account existing logistics, cost-benefit analysis, and the needs of patients and staff.

John Goudie, CEO of SLiNK-TECH said: 'Excuse the pun - we're amped up to be collaborating with charging company Aerovolt to help make scalable, fully-autonomous drone networks commercially viable for healthcare. Getting the charging infrastructure right is so important for drone operations, across NHS Wales and beyond. With support from our partners, our advanced PORTAL landing technology alongside the Aerovolt charging network will unlock cost-effective, safe drone logistics that can have a big impact in rural Wales.'
Snowdonia Aerospace Centre boasts the UK's only permanent commercial airspace danger zone and is equipped with a fully automated testing vertiport, developed by SLiNK-TECH; as well as an Aerovolt charging system. Together, the partners plan to streamline an integrated system which could be ready to support operations from as early as 2025.

Assistant Director of Research & Innovation for Welsh Ambulance Service University NHS Trust, Professor Nigel Rees QAM, said:
'Drones hold enormous potential in healthcare, from the delivery of supplies to the deployment of life-saving products and devices. This project and our collaboration with the Welsh Health Drone Network is furthering our understandings of how a safe, efficient, well-regulated and integrated network of drones may be achieved to support the NHS for the people of Wales.'