CHENNAI: Doctors and engineers are looking at unmanned machines in the skies as a safe route to healthcare. From transporting urine and poop samples to labs to delivering emergency medicine and equipment to trauma victims and transporting organs, Indian scientists have given themselves a year’s time to develop and launch a prototype drone that can fly up to 250km and carry at least 40 kg payload.

“We are looking at a futuristic possibility but it’s not sci-fi anymore,” said Bangalore-based National Design and Research Forum director K Ramachandra. He will be in Chennai for a two-day conference on Futuristic Healthcare Technology co-organized by The Institute of Engineers and Apollo Telemedicine Network starting on December 15. The organisation is coordinating with several institutions including IISc, Bangalore, Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai and Indian Institute of Technology-Madras. “As of now, private organisations have been able to fly about 4kg of medicines for up to 10 km. Flying longer distances will require heavier drones with powerful engines. We are working on the prototypes,” he said….Readmore