Luxembourg is making major strides in the use of drones for medical logistics after the Griffin project successfully launched its first official flight transporting a blood sample by air.
On Thursday, a drone transported the sample from Hôpitaux Robert Schuman in Luxembourg-Kirchberg to Laboratoires Réunis in Junglinster, halving the time it would take to travel by car.
The demonstration, which took just 10 minutes, went smoothly, proving that modern drone technologies can be used for medical logistics safely, quickly, and without impacting the environment.
Launched in 2023 by Laboratoires Réunis, Luxembourg Air Services, POST Luxembourg, and Santé Services, the Griffin project used a fully electric Eiger 03 UAV designed by Swiss manufacturer RigiTech. The drone can reach speeds of 100 km/h and can carry samples of up to three kilograms, including blood, serum, urine, or other specimens.
While many countries in Europe now routinely use drones for transport, monitoring or to carry out work such as sowing seeds, Griffin marks the first major project in the grand duchy.
And it seems unlikely to be the last. In 2022, the European Commission’s drone strategy provided a roadmap for a future where drones are integrated into various aspects of European life, including emergency response, mapping and urgent deliveries. The creation of drone channels for managing UAV traffic known as U-space is expected to further accelerate the adoption of this technology.
Currently, drone pilots in Luxembourg need to be certified and insured, and certain operations require specific authorisations from the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC). This prevents unauthorised overflights – particularly above inhabited areas. An integrated parachute system further enhances safety in the highly unlikely event of a technical malfunction. For the Griffin project, the drone flew only in secure virtual zones (geofences), defined in close collaboration with the DAC.
Additional tests are planned to further explore the potential of drone transport in practice, to optimise operational procedures, and assess its integration into daily medical routines. The goal is to conduct an in-depth technical feasibility study, highlight the advantages of this future-oriented transport method, and translate the knowledge gained into concrete solutions.
The flight. This inaugural flight took place in the presence of several high-ranking officials, including Yuriko Backes, Minister for Mobility and Public Works; Martine Deprez, Minister of Health and Social Security; and Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy, and Tourism.
