Soon, drones could be used to transport vaccines to challenging places
Now ICMR will enter into an agreement with the drone operating companies, the tendering process for which has already begun
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, could soon be used to transport Covid-19 vaccines to challenging remote places in quickest possible time.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), which were asked to explore the feasibility of the option, have reportedly given a go ahead to the plan after a detailed study, said people privy to the developments.
As next step, the ICMR will now enter into an agreement with the drone operating companies, the tendering process for which has already begun, they said.
The idea was first mooted by the ICMR.
However, when it went to the ministry for civil aviation for approval, it was told to first conduct a feasibility study in association with the IIT-K.
“Making the vaccines available to people living in such inhospitable parts is a challenge and the ministry wanted the ICMR and the IIT-K to conduct a joint study on how far sending the vaccine through drones was safe?” said two sources in the IIT-K.
Aerospace engineering department’s Prof AK Ghosh and his team studied the plan and did many experiments before concluding that the plan could actually work.
In the field trials, Prof Ghosh and his team analysed the impact of take-off, airborne and landing tie vibration on the vaccine.
They also studied that since the drones were battery operated, will the increase or decrease in temperature affect the vaccine.
On the basis of these findings, the team has set certain parameters, which if followed could make transportation of vaccines to remote places possible.
The drone to be used in vaccine transportation essentially should have a minimum flying range of 35 km and should be able to carry a load of four kilos.
Also, the drone should be able to fly 100 meters above and take off vertically with that much of load. The drones own weight should be in accordance with the standards set by directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA).
“The study on drones transporting the vaccines, conducted in association with the ICMR, has been done. The ICMR has been informed about the parameters finalised for this. Transportation of vaccines could begin if these parameters are followed,” said an IIT-K spokesperson.