Founded in Rouen in 2021 by Gautier Dhaussy and Pierre Lebel, the start-up Delivrone develops drone transport for healthcare facilities. On 7 October it launched its first routine line between the hospital center of Verneuil-sur-Avre-et-d’Iton, in Eure, and the Cerballiance laboratory in Aigle (Orne). That is, every day, a hundred biological samples that travel 126 kilometers in about thirty minutes.
Initially, the founders aimed to facilitate the transport of goods in large cities: “Knowing that 80% of parcels delivered worldwide weigh less than 3 kg and are transported by thermal vehicles, we wanted to develop a fast, clean, automatic system and by air. The drone then forced itself on us. We started our tests with ready meals, and then went shopping for individuals. Furthermore, we were contacted by the University Hospital of Rouen (Seine-Maritime) for urgent transport needs. We then discovered their care challenges. With them we imagined a different offer and decided to specialize in this environment”, explains Gautier Dhaussy, co-founder.
“1141 kilometers traveled in one week! »
The experiments were launched above the metropolis of Rouen Normandy, then between Saint-Lô and Granville (Manche): “This made it possible to realize the simplest possible turnkey solution, built on an automatic infrastructure, the identification of the best equipment, the development of dedicated software solutions, obtaining flight authorizations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC). We had to guarantee the training of the internal teams and, for our part, organize the supervision of the flights”, adds the engineer.
Thus, after having certified the safety of the drones and the absence of impacts on biology, the first line was opened “which will save a lot of time for the hospital center and the laboratory, but will also avoid the emission of 35 tons of CO2. In one week we traveled 1141 kilometers! »
With now ten employees, Gautier Dhaussy and Pierre Lebel want to take it to the next level: “With 1000 hospitals and 4000 analysis laboratories in France, the market is gigantic. Our vision is truly to improve the treatment path and give back time to patients, decarbonising transport. In the coming months, around fifteen factories in France will be equipped with this technology. Firstly to cover long distances, therefore more in rural areas, and secondly in large metropolises where flying over them is more complicated. We have altitude agreements for a clean air corridor and by the end of the year areas where multiple drones will be able to fly at the same time. We are at the beginning of the story”, declares Delivrone’s co-manager.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Gautier Dhaussy, Co-founder of Delivrone
Editor: Good morning, Gautier. It’s an exciting time for Delivrone as you’ve just launched your first routine drone transport service for healthcare facilities. Can you tell us what motivated you and Pierre to create this innovative startup?
Gautier Dhaussy: Good morning! Our initial vision was to tackle the challenges of urban logistics. We recognized that 80% of packages worldwide weigh less than 3 kg and are often transported inefficiently by thermal vehicles. We wanted to create a faster, cleaner, and more automated delivery system using drones. Our journey took a turn when we engaged with the University Hospital of Rouen, leading us to focus on the healthcare sector, where the need for urgent, reliable transport is critical.
Editor: It’s fascinating how you pivoted your initial concept. Can you elaborate on the specific challenges that healthcare facilities face that your service addresses?
Gautier Dhaussy: Absolutely. In healthcare, time is often of the essence. Hospitals need a reliable way to transport biological samples quickly to laboratories, especially for urgent tests. Traditional methods can be slow and cumbersome. By implementing drone transport, we aim to reduce delivery times significantly—our current route covers 126 kilometers in about thirty minutes, which is a game changer for medical operations.
Editor: Launching your first routine line must have been quite an achievement. What has been the response from healthcare providers since you began operations?
Gautier Dhaussy: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. For instance, since our launch, we’ve traveled over 1141 kilometers in just one week! Healthcare providers are excited about the potential for increased efficiency and reliability in sample transport. It not only helps them manage urgent transport needs but also enhances patient care by speeding up diagnosis processes.
Editor: Sounds like an impressive start! Is there a particular challenge you encountered while implementing this drone service that stands out?
Gautier Dhaussy: One significant challenge was navigating the regulatory environment for drone flights. Each region has its own rules, and ensuring compliance while maintaining an efficient operation required a lot of careful planning and collaboration with local authorities.
Editor: That must have been quite the hurdle! Looking ahead, what are your plans for Delivrone? Will you expand beyond healthcare?
Gautier Dhaussy: While healthcare remains our primary focus, we are definitely exploring other sectors where our drone technology can add value. Logistics in rural areas and delivering urgent supplies during emergencies are potential fields for expansion. Our goal is to create a broader network of drone delivery services that can contribute to various aspects of society.
Editor: Exciting prospects for the future! what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to innovate in similar tech-driven fields?
Gautier Dhaussy: I would say, remain adaptable and keep the lines of communication open with your potential users. Understanding their real needs will guide your innovations in the right direction. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to pivot based on feedback; sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places.
Editor: Wise words! Thank you, Gautier, for sharing your insights and the journey of Delivrone. We look forward to seeing how your company evolves and impacts the healthcare sector!
Gautier Dhaussy: Thank you! I’m excited about what lies ahead for us, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our story.