Field test assesses whether drones can deliver temp-sensitive medicines

A proof of concept field trial is being performed by AT&T and Softbox in collaboration with Merck to test the viability of using connected payloads and drones to deliver temperature-sensitive medicines.

An LTE-connected drone carrying Softbox’s thermal-insulated packaging system ‘Skypod’, which includes a smartbox powered by AT&T’s Internet of Things (IoT) technology, successfully completed demonstration flights. The field trialwith Merck took place in locations across Puerto Rico.

“Merck is pleased to collaborate on this innovative new model for delivering medicines to patients in areas affected by natural disasters,” said Brenda Colatrella, executive director, Corporate Responsibility at Merck. “We’re proud of our long history of expanding access to our medicines and vaccines and collaborating to provide humanitarian assistance. The drone test flights give us hope that we will be able to provide a reliable supply of our medicines for disaster.”

AT&T’s IoT technology tracks the Skypod with data viewed on a web and mobile app dashboard. The data includes near-real time external and internal temperatures of the box and its location. Light exposure data helps signal if there is box tampering during daylight, by determining if the box is open or closed.

The dashboard app will flash alerts to help drive appropriate action. For example, it will send an alert if there is a change to the temperature range of 2°C to 8°C. It will also send an alert if the drone goes outside of defined geofencing parameters.

“We’re proud to be working with AT&T in this dynamic, industry-first trial. The connected Skypod could be rapidly deployed globally in times of humanitarian disaster relief,” commented Softbox technical director Richard Wood.

“With the 2018 hurricane season upon us, we are thinking about the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria last year. This trial is a fantastic example of ‘IoT for Good’, showcasing that it’s possible for connected medical drones to deliver vital medicines to people in times of disaster,” added AT&T region president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, John Vladimir Slamecka.