Drone technology takes off in Snowdonia

05 August 2024

Drone technology came to life at a demonstration event at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre in Llanbedr on Thursday 11 July 2024.

The Welsh Blood Service were there as part of the Welsh Drone Innovation Partnership Project, looking at the potential for a drone-based delivery network to enhance logistic services in the future, including the transport of blood products between north and south Wales.

The technology

Industry partner SlinkTech has developed an advanced landing solution, PORTAL, a vertiport air-traffic control system that enables safe, low cost, autonomous drone launch and landing with minimal infrastructure.

Snowdonia Aerospace Centre in Llanbedr have invested in PORTAL, setting up the UK’s first permanent vertiport for drone take-off and landing.

The centre is on the site of a former WWII airbase. While still a functioning airfield, these days the old hangar and runway area have become a test environment for new generation, novel aerospace systems.

SlinkTech demonstrated the PORTAL system with multiple take offs, flights and landings involving up to three drones at a time to show how the automated system could manage the traffic safely.

Director of the Welsh Blood Service, Alan Prosser was at the event and said exploring drone technology is a key innovation project for the service going forward.

“Innovation is absolutely critical for our service to stay at the cutting edge of technological advancements - we have some key challenges ahead and this type of project is both thought provoking and energising in terms of what could be possible for the future.

“Technology is advancing at pace in this area and we acknowledge that drone capability still needs to mature in terms of carrying capacity and battery payload before this becomes a viable option for our service.

“Having said that, I’m extremely proud to be here alongside the Welsh Ambulance Service for this proof-of-concept study, partnering up to consider new and exciting ways to enhance the services we provide for the people of Wales.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the workshop at WBS in June, to help us begin shaping our ideas about how we could use drone technology in the future.

“All I can say for now is, watch this space!”

Jennet Holmes, Head of Innovation for the Trust has been integral in moving this project forward.

“In our collective pursuit of innovation across the Trust, we are dedicated to building robust innovation systems infrastructure that enhances our capacity and capability to foster transformative change.

“This project is a thrilling opportunity to elevate Velindre innovation and showcase our collaborative spirit.

“Partnering with industry and NHS organisations, and engaging with other stakeholders on this project will help us prepare for the future integration challenges of utilising technological advancements. In doing so, we will be better prepared to leverage technology that has the potential to strengthen supply chain resilience for the NHS.”

The funding

In February 2024 the partnership received Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for a foundation study into the use of drones, under an initiative aimed at enhancing medical supply chain resilience.

The purpose of the foundation study is to:

• Establish the potential for drone-based delivery services to support the Welsh NHS, including specific use cases for the Welsh Blood Service.
• Test the basic premise with the Civil Aviation Authority.
• Identify the roadmap and critical tasks that will allow us to realise the longer-term vision.

The partnership

The organisations involved in the drone innovation partnership are

• Welsh Blood Service
• Welsh Ambulance Service University NHS Trust
• Snowdonia Aerospace Centre
• SlinkTech