Drones have long since outgrown the toy stage. Due to their wide range of possible uses, it is obvious that they should also be used in the medical field. "In keeping with our vision of continuously developing emergency rescue and helping to shape the future of the healthcare system, we have been dealing intensively with this topic for some time," says Reinhard Kraxner, Managing Director of ÖAMTC Air Rescue. "The idea is to supply medical infrastructure facilities with priority cargo - blood supplies, rare medications, equipment, laboratory samples - quickly and inexpensively in the future." Together with the Lower Austrian startup APELEON, the Lower Austrian State Health Agency, Notruf NÖ and with the support of the ecoplus health technology platform, ÖAMTC Air Rescue is working intensively on implementing the idea of ​​a medical drone service in Austria. The first test flights are to be carried out as early as next year. An APELEON drone designed and developed in Lower Austria will be used for the transport flights. "The purely electrically powered aircraft takes off vertically, like a helicopter, and as soon as it is at altitude, it continues its flight horizontally like an airplane," explains Andreas Fürlinger, mastermind of APELEON. "In a special cargo hold suitable for the transport of medical goods, up to ten kilograms can be safely transported in the future." Transport by drone is not only faster, but also safer, cleaner and more sustainable than on the road. In addition, there is the increasing specialization of hospitals and laboratories, which also presents a logistical challenge. "For us at the Lower Austrian State Health Agency, the best possible care and support for our patients and residents always comes first. To do this, it is necessary that we continue to develop, and that is why we are delighted