Autonomous floor supply robots are deliberate to hitch the drone supply community in London to ship NHS provides.
Healthcare logistics agency Apian is working with Nice Ormond Road Hospital (GOSH) to scope the combination of the robotic know-how alongside its drone operations, with the purpose of lowering delays and releasing up workers.
The robots, that are designed to automate the ultimate ‘scientific metre’ of hospital logistics, will allow hands-free transport of samples and provides instantly between supply drones and scientific groups.
Apian introduced the plans as a part of the enlargement of London’s NHS drone supply community, constructing on its present service at Man’s and St Thomas’ NHS Basis Belief in partnership with Wing.
A six-month trial on the belief, which started in October 2024, concerned the supply of blood samples for sufferers present process surgical procedure who’re at excessive threat of issues from bleeding issues.
Alexander Trewby, cofounder and chief govt of Apian, stated: “From 5,000 affected person samples delivered at Man’s and St Thomas’, to quadruped robots at GOSH – we’re constructing clever infrastructure that quietly transforms care.”
Apian showcased the autonomous drones and supply robots at a Downing Road reception throughout London Tech Week, which occurred on 9-13 June 2025, highlighting the federal government’s backing for the innovation to help the NHS.
The expanded community will embrace extra routes, targeted on NHS pathology networks, together with centralised hubs like SYNLAB Blackfriars, serving to to course of tens of thousands and thousands of checks every month.
Professor Ian Abbs, chief govt of Man’s and St Thomas’, stated: “The drone trial has been an modern approach to assist us take care of our most weak sufferers by dashing up take a look at outcomes and doing this in a approach which is sustainable.
“We’re wanting ahead to working with Apian on the subsequent section which can broaden the advantages to extra of our workers and sufferers.”
Business drone growth agency Matternet will be part of Apian’s multi-operator platform, marking its operational debut within the UK.
Andreas Raptopoulos, chief govt of Matternet, stated: “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Apian and to function within the UK for the primary time.
“As a frontrunner in medical drone supply, we’re effectively positioned to help the NHS in delivering quicker, smarter and extra equitable take care of sufferers throughout the UK.”
Matternet specialises in city drone supply, carrying lab samples, prescribed drugs, and medical provides in Switzerland since 2017 and within the US since 2019.
Alexander Trewby, cofounder and chief govt of Apian, stated: “From 5,000 affected person samples delivered at Man’s and St Thomas’, to quadruped robots at GOSH – we’re constructing clever infrastructure that quietly transforms care.
“Our new associate Matternet brings selection and scale, serving to us create logistics that work invisibly within the background and releasing up scientific groups to concentrate on the sufferers who want it most.”
Drones may very well be deployed extra extensively for NHS deliveries underneath new UK laws deliberate for 2026, which might enable flights past visible line of sight restrict.
This could unlock long-distance missions throughout hard-to-reach areas, permitting drones for use for NHS-related missions in distant areas.
