Peru Flying Lab Pilots A Medical Transportation Program for Amazon Communities

UAV of Peru Authorities in the SITDRONE Fair

From November 17th to 19th, the first edition of the SITDRONE Peru fair took place on the Peruvian Air Force Base. This event had the participation of various national authorities and expert exhibitors in the field, as well as international speakers from the United States, Spain, France, Korea, and Malta, among others. In addition, this event brought together company representatives, university students, professionals, and families interested in developing drones and unmanned vehicle systems, technological advancements, and other related topics. During the said event, a UAV from Peru, with the support of Peru Flying Labs, presented the pilot program on the use of drones to transport medicines in Amazonian Communities.

Amazonian Students that participated in the Pilot Program

Our involvement in this event was focused on making known the initiative that was a success in November 2022. The organization provided us an opportunity to not only have a stand at the fair but also to give a presentation in the conference room for 45 minutes, where we talked about the development, execution, and stakeholders of the pilot program. In addition, we highlighted the importance of drone technology to improve the quality of life in the Peruvian Amazon and its population.

This pilot was launched in the Loreto Region, between the towns of San Antonio del Estrecho and Miraflores in the province of Putumayo, where 20 young students were trained in handling and maintaining the drones that would transport emergency medicines to indigenous communities with difficult access. We shared our heartwarming experience as the participants' parents enthusiastically received the initiative to encourage more companies to participate in social good causes.

Presentation of the Pilot Program in the SITDRONE Fair

This SITDRONE Fair held its first two days aimed at organizations, delegations, professionals, and companies related to the drone industry, while the third day was available to the general public. The main objective of this space was to be the most important fair in terms of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles in the region. Although it was its first edition, the organizing committee trusts it will become an ideal platform for those interested in these technologies and build Peru as a benchmark.

We continue to acknowledge the importance of networking, as our participation in this event helped us raise awareness and contact new possible stakeholders to continue our activities in favor of disseminating knowledge and STEM development.

We thank the SITDRONE Peru 2022 organization for giving us a space to present our initiative on Amazon. Furthermore, we would like to acknowledge the work of our partners, CEDRO and USAID Peru, for all their help during the development of the pilot program. We aim to keep up collaborations like this to assist, train and expand drone technology to solve real-life problems.