The UK government has announced plans to allow drones to fly beyond visual line of sight, enabling remote prescription deliveries and offshore inspections, with the new regulatory framework expected to come into effect as soon as 2026.
The UK government has announced plans to allow drones to fly beyond visual line of sight, enabling remote prescription deliveries and offshore inspections. This change is expected to come into effect as soon as 2026.
Drones have undergone significant advancements in recent years, transforming from simple remote-controlled aircraft to sophisticated flying machines equipped with cutting-edge technologies.
The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision has enabled drones to perform complex tasks such as object detection, tracking, and surveillance.
According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global drone market is projected to reach $43.9 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 26.5%.
Drones are increasingly being used in various industries including agriculture, construction, and healthcare for tasks such as crop monitoring, inspection, and medical supply delivery.
New Regulatory Framework for Drone Use
The new regulatory framework will be delivered by the Civil Aviation Authority with a budget of £16.5m. The government believes that current regulations have become disproportionate and are holding back the development of drone technology. With this change, drones can fly long distances without their operators seeing them, making it possible to use them for lengthy journeys.
Potential Applications for Drones in the NHS
Lord Willetts, chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office, sees a huge potential market for drone operators, both commercially and for services like the NHS. Drones could be used to deliver drugs to GPs and patients in remote locations, take blood samples to hospitals for testing, and inspect offshore wind turbines.
The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in England.
Established in 1948, it provides comprehensive and universal access to medical care for all UK residents.
The NHS employs over 1.2 million staff members and operates a network of hospitals, clinics, and community health services.
Its primary objective is to promote public health, prevent illness, and provide high-quality healthcare services to patients.
The Scottish Highlands and islands could be one area of the UK to benefit from this new technology. Additionally, farming as a sector could also see increased use of drones. Regulatory changes could enable the use of drones under the government’s safer streets fund, which supports measures against neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour.
Broadening the Definition of ‘Atypical’ Air Environment
Lord Willetts indicated that the definition of an ‘atypical’ air environment could be broadened, enabling greater use of drones over long distances. However, for drones to operate in busier airspace, there would need to be progress on technology and standards that alert aircraft to their presence.
The government is giving £16.5m to the Civil Aviation Authority to deliver a regulatory framework that will allow beyond-line-of-sight drone use. This change is expected to help the UK ‘lead the world in new technologies’ and break down barriers to innovation.
- theguardian.com | Drones could deliver NHS supplies under UK regulation changes
