10-minute deliveries at Re 1 per flight: Drones set to transform healthcare in Bengaluru

A city-based healthcare provider Narayana Health partnered with logistics startup Airbound to launch a drone-based delivery system for transporting diagnostic samples, aiming to bypass Bengaluru’s heavy traffic and speed up medical logistics.

Under the pilot, drones carried diagnostic samples from a clinic in Chandapura to Narayana Health City in Bommasandra, creating a faster aerial link between key medical facilities in Bengaluru.

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Since the pilot began in January 2026, around 700 drone flights have been conducted over 54 days, with each trip capable of carrying up to 40 diagnostic samples, showcasing the scalability of the model.

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The drones covered a 4km aerial route in just 10 minutes, compared to nearly an hour via road during peak traffic, significantly reducing turnaround time for critical diagnostic deliveries.

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Apart from saving time, each drone delivery cost approximately Re 1 in operational expenses, making it a highly economical alternative to traditional road-based sample transport.

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The drones use a blended wing-body tailsitter design, combining vertical takeoff with efficient fixed-wing flight. This allows lower cost per kilometre and better performance compared to conventional transport methods.

Founder Devi Prasad Shetty said the model will be expanded to the upcoming Narayana Health facility in Banashankari, which is expected to integrate advanced, tech-driven healthcare operations.

While the pilot received approval from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), full-scale operations for new routes are still awaiting formal clearance. Officials say the successful pilot could pave the way for wider adoption of drone-based medical logistics. (All image credits: X/@Airbound_Aero)