On Saturday, 18 February 2025, trials began for the transportation of medical supplies using the Dragonfly DS-1 drone, designed and manufactured by Overspace Aviation. The project was developed in partnership with Asst Franciacorta, with flight authorisation granted by ENAC (the Italian Civil Aviation Authority), the Sebino Basin Authority, and the municipalities of Iseo and Monte Isola. The autonomous drone took off from Giardini Garibaldi square, adjacent to Iseo Hospital, and landed at the picnic area in Menzino on Monte Isola. The flight simulated the transportation of laboratory samples from the Monte Isola collection point to the Analysis Laboratory in Iseo. The journey lasted just three and a half minutes, completing the entire test within an hour, including cargo setup, take-off, and landing. The return flight experienced a brief delay to allow for the passage of an air ambulance.
Traditional transport methods, which involve both road and ferry travel, take between 20 and 30 minutes. The drone not only drastically reduces travel times under normal conditions but also enables virtually immediate deliveries during medical emergencies. With a payload capacity of up to five kilograms, the drone can carry pharmaceuticals and biological materials, such as laboratory samples. While this inaugural flight was conducted to an island on Lake Iseo, the solution is suitable for any isolated community, including those in mountainous areas.
The Dragonfly DS-1 boasts a two-hour flight range and can operate within a 200-kilometre radius of its departure point, as it is a free-flight drone. It is the product of four years of research in collaboration with the University of Brescia and completed its maiden flight in November 2024. The cargo bay of the drone can be configured to accommodate various types of containers or equipment, including sensors. It can reach a cruising speed of 27 metres per second (equivalent to 97.2 km/h), with a maximum speed of 45 metres per second (162 km/h), and can ascend to altitudes of up to 4,500 metres.
