Written by : Jayati Dubey
January 8, 2024
TechEagle's Vertiplane X3 delivered crucial TB medicines in 34 minutes, with the assistance provided by the "Drone Didi" initiative under the PM's scheme.
TechEagle, an on-demand drone delivery startup, recently recorded one of the longest drone delivery flights in collaboration with AIIMS Rishikesh. This mission, aligned with the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Yojna, transported essential Tuberculosis (TB) medicine, showcasing the immense potential of drone technology in revolutionising healthcare logistics.
Talking about this achievement, Vikram Singh Meena, founder and CEO of TechEagle, said, "This achievement aligns with the visionary goals of our Prime Minister, showcasing our commitment to scaling drone operations in Uttarakhand. Overcoming challenging terrains underscores our position as pioneers in innovative drone solutions. The transformative potential of drones in healthcare supply chains, enhancing accessibility in remote areas, is at the core of our dedication."
The mission encountered no hindrance in the challenging hilly terrains, with the assistance provided by the "Drone Didi" initiative under the PM's scheme. This initiative provides comprehensive training to women in Self Help Groups (SHGs), empowering them to operate and monitor drones proficiently and contributing significantly to the empowerment of local communities.
The drone's flight navigated from AIIMS Rishikesh to remote regions such as Chamba CHC and Hindolakhal PHC, through complex terrains and elevations.
According to the startup, the drone demonstrated an altitude gain of over 2.5 km during its single 47 km journey, showcasing efficiency. To provide context, covering the same distance by road would take more than 4 hours. TechEagle's Vertiplane X3 delivered crucial TB medicines in 34 minutes, demonstrating 8X improvement in speed compared to traditional road transport.
Professor Meenu Singh, director of AIIMS Institute, said, "The successful trial completed on Thursday for vendor selection aimed at delivering medicines to remote hilly areas during emergencies through drones emphasises the visionary approach of Prime Minister Modi. Professor Singh revealed plans to establish a groundbreaking initiative called 'Drone Didi' under women empowerment. This innovative force will enable the regular provision of healthcare services through drone-based health services. The initiative will facilitate the delivery of diagnostic kits, medicines, blood samples, and more to CHC level hospitals, marking a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare accessibility in challenging terrains."
The achievement underscores the transformative impact of drone technology on healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas. TechEagle's mission highlights the potential of drones to improve speed, efficiency, and accessibility in the healthcare supply chain, showcasing their vital role in addressing healthcare challenges in challenging terrains.
Established in 2017 by Anshu Abhishek and Vikram Singh Meena, TechEagle is a Gurugram-based technology startup offering secure, reliable, and on-demand drone delivery solutions for healthcare and essential packages.
Last year in October, TechEagle teamed up with AIIMS Bilaspur to transform emergency healthcare in Himachal Pradesh. The collaboration is focused on expediting the delivery of critical blood samples to remote rural areas, significantly enhancing healthcare accessibility in the state.
Before that, they partnered with AIIMS Jodhpur in September, aiming to ensure efficient delivery of essential medical supplies to underserved tribal communities in Sirohi, Rajasthan.