A proof-of-concept project in Okinawa, Japan involving blood delivery by drone is setting the stage for a new era in drone logistics.

In what was a test project between delivery drone maker Wingcopter, international trade service ITOCHU Corporation, and ANA Holdings (an aviation group primarily known for its airline of the same name), the team conducted blood deliveries by drone in Okinawa, Japan. There, they transported blood between Urasoe and Nago using Wingcopter’s delivery drones in a proof-of-concept (POC) experiment. The test demonstrated the potential for drones to address labor shortages and ensure critical medical supplies reach isolated or disaster-stricken regions.

Related read: Why this Asian airline is betting big on drones

A milestone in medical drone logistics

Though we’ve seen plenty of instances of drones transporting blood in the past (e.g. UPS uses Matternet drones to fly blood samples in the U.S., and Zipline has long been delivering blood to hospitals primarily in developing countries in Africa), this test has its own merits. That’s largely given the unique geography of Okinawa.

With Okinawa’s 48 inhabited islands posing logistical challenges for traditional transportation, drones offer a faster, more flexible alternative. Besides that, Okinawa stands out for its heat. Located in the southernmost part of Japan, Okinawa is known for its high temperatures in the summer — posing an additional challenge for drones to keep blood cool.

Drones transported both red blood cell fluid and whole blood. Both types of blood are likely to be used in disasters and emergencies and require strict temperature control of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. In this trial, Wingcopter drones transported blood along a 53-kilometer route in just 32 minutes, maintaining that necessary constant temperature of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius to ensure the blood’s quality.

Experts, including Dr. Hiroshi Fujita, Director of Transfusion Medicine at Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, confirmed the blood’s integrity, stating it was comparable to samples transported by ground vehicles.

“The results of this verification therefore show that drones may be useful as a means of transporting blood appropriately to where it is needed,” Fujita said. “We hope to see (further) testing of blood transport by drones in the future.”

The delivery drone used

Given Wingcopter’s participation, the team used Wingcopter’s flagship delivery drone, the Wingcopter 198. The Wingcopter 198 stands out for its patented tilt-rotor mechanism and proprietary software algorithms. With it the Wingcopter 198 can take off and land vertically like a multicopter. Meanwhile, it can fly long distances as efficiently and quickly as a fixed-wing aircraft, even in rain and wind.

Wingcopter, which is a German company, has major partnerships including package delivery giant UPS. It also had a partnership with U.S.-based medical service provider Air Methods, running medical drone deliveries in Kansas.

But in recent years, it has found especial success in Japan. For example, In March 2024, Wingcopter applied for type certification in Japan for its flagship drone. It became the first foreign company to gain acceptance for the type certification process by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

With Wingcopter’s ongoing pursuit of type certification in Japan — allowing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights over populated areas — the delivery drone maker would cement its position as a leader in the sector.

Wingcopter has about 150 employees and has investors including the European Investment Bank, REWE Group, Salvia, XAI technologies and Xplorer Capital. Much of that was raised through Wingcopter’s $22 million Series A in early 2021, which was followed up with a Series B extension in June 2022 that brought its funding to $42 million.

What the blood delivery by drone test means for the drone industry ahead

The project demonstrated its ability to handle real-world conditions, including strict temperature controls and vibration management. That all provides a strong case for scaling up operations. With labor shortages and emergencies posing significant challenges particularly in Japan (but even worldwide), this trial serves as a blueprint for integrating drones into conventional logistics networks.

For the drone industry, the significance extends beyond medical applications. Rather, it paves the way for broader adoption of drones in commercial and humanitarian efforts.

As ITOCHU explores integrating multiple drones into traditional supply networks, the industry inches closer to realizing sustainable, scalable drone logistics.

Looking ahead, the Wingcopter 198 could become a staple in Japan’s healthcare and logistics landscape. Exepct deliveries of not only medical supplies but also pharmaceuticals and high-priority goods. The ongoing certification process — coupled with successful trials like this one —— signals a shift toward widespread commercial drone use. That’s particularly true in regions where traditional methods fall short.

The post Blood delivery by drone takes off in Japan appeared first on The Drone Girl.