PureLab partners with LODD Autonomous to launch drone-based blood transport pilot in Abu Dhabi

UAE—PureLab, which operates the largest network of laboratories in the Middle East as a subsidiary of PureHealth, has partnered with LODD Autonomous to launch an innovative pilot project that transports blood samples via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The advanced air mobility developer brings its cutting-edge autonomous aerial systems to move critical medical samples between SEHA Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and PureLab’s Abu Dhabi headquarters.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) supports the collaboration, which officially launched during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW).

The Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) organized the event to showcase the emirate’s commitment to autonomous technology integration.

Transforming medical sample delivery

The initiative leverages LODD’s next-generation UAV technology to accelerate the transport of critical medical samples while improving speed and efficiency.

Daily transfers of vital blood samples now occur safely and reliably through this innovative solution, which complies with all relevant health regulatory standards in the emirate.

The drone delivery system reduces diagnostic turnaround times and enhances the overall speed and efficiency of medical response capabilities across the healthcare network.

His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), emphasized that Abu Dhabi is advancing the frontier of autonomous technology through real-world applications that directly improve lives through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster.

He described the pilot as a defining step in demonstrating how autonomous systems can strengthen healthcare delivery while underscoring Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class testbed where innovators design and deploy the future of mobility for global impact.

Driving healthcare innovation forward

The project represents a major advancement in integrating autonomous technologies into healthcare logistics across Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem.

Performance efficiency, operational sustainability, and service quality all receive significant boosts through this integration.

The initiative minimizes environmental impact while strengthening the efficiency and dependability of diagnostic services throughout the region.

Arindam Haldar, CEO of PureLab, stressed that every minute saved in transporting blood samples translates to a minute gained for patients awaiting diagnosis.

He explained that integrating drone logistics into the diagnostics network improves delivery times while advancing the entire continuum of care.

Haldar noted that the pilot reflects their belief that healthcare innovation must serve people faster, smarter, and with greater environmental responsibility, calling it a perfect example of how Abu Dhabi’s vision for automation and sustainability translates into real-world impact.

Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous, characterized the pilot project as a real-world demonstration of how autonomous aviation enhances healthcare logistics through fast, safe, and sustainable medical transport solutions.

He emphasized that their work represents a practical step toward improving responsiveness and elevating healthcare service quality in Abu Dhabi rather than a distant vision.

Shaping the future of medical transport

The collaboration showcases how UAE’s government vision converges with private-sector innovation to deliver transformative solutions.

ADIO and SASC support reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a living laboratory for future technologies in healthcare, mobility, and sustainability.

The project operates under the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Cluster, an Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of intelligent mobility solutions.

Trial insights will help establish clear standards and regulatory frameworks that enable future commercial use of medical air transport technologies in the emirate while ensuring both safety and operational efficiency.

The collaboration positions Abu Dhabi as a global driver of innovation in autonomous aviation and smart healthcare.

PureLab helps shape a new era of connected, sustainable healthcare by uniting precision medicine with precision mobility, with Abu Dhabi leading the world in translating futuristic ideas into everyday solutions.