Future of emergency medical services in Helsinki – a drone could save your life

Passenger drones will even be able to transport doctors to the scene in the near future. There are plans to introduce the world’s first air taxi service at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Innovations don’t get much more revolutionary!

Drones are the quickest way to get help to hard-to-reach places

Imagine that a snake bites you or something in your snack bar causes a life-threatening allergic reaction when you are in the middle of a forest or an island. It takes a long time to get help in places that are hard to reach. In the future, emergency medical services will have access to medical emergency drones that can also transport cortisone, an EpiPen or a first aid kit to places inaccessible by ambulance or helicopter. 

“Transport system pain points become clear in rescue operations. They are particularly well highlighted when it comes to hard-to-reach places and emergency situations, where every second counts,” explains Forum Virium Helsinki Project Manager Renske Martijnse-Hartikka. 

Watch a video of Emergency medical drones’ validation flights in Kassel 7.3.2023 (Regionalmanagement Nordhessen GmbH):

Advantages of medical emergency drones right now

Global population growth has been pushing traditional infrastructure to its limits. In the European Union alone, traffic congestion is estimated to cost society EUR 100 billion a year.

“Drones will not become stuck in traffic. In addition to time, they will also save money and reduce emissions,” says Renske Martijnse-Hartikka. “However, taking emergency medical services up into the airspace requires the overhaul of aviation legislation and urban and transport planning. We are tasked with increasing cities’ understanding of the possibilities offered and challenges faced by medical emergency drones. We also offer support for testing drones,” Martijnse-Hartikka adds.

Watch a video from a EpiPen transport flight to an island in Helsinki 4.4.2023:

A passenger drone in Helsinki for the first time

Forum Virium Helsinki showcased medical emergency drones at two roadshow events in April. Both of these events featured discussion about the future prospects, advantages and challenges of medical drones.

Intended for the media, healthcare professionals and the general public, these events showcased ground-breaking medical emergency drones designed to transport medical equipment and passengers. The roadshow is part of a broad European project, and the City of Helsinki’s innovation company Forum Virium is in charge of the project’s communications.

• 4 April, 10–17, Suomenlinna: A medical emergency drone will transport an EpiPen from Kaivopuisto to Suomenlinna. The event will include catering for professionals and media representatives.
• 6 April, 10–16, Kansalaistori Square: A medical emergency drone and passenger drone will be on display in front of Helsinki Central Library Oodi. Coffee catering will be available for media representatives and those who respond to a public survey.
  
  Read more here.

Watch a video of a medical emergency drone’s validation flight in Stavanger, Norway.
Download photos of medical emergency drones. 

Photo: Ehang Scandinavia

Videos: Jukka Åman / Luomustudio