The International Testing Agency (ITA) has completed a 1,000-kilometre drone flight in Alaska to assess whether anti-doping blood samples can withstand long-distance transportation without affecting the results of laboratory analysis.
The trial examined the potential of drones as an additional method for transporting samples from testing locations to laboratories, especially in areas with difficult terrain, long distances or limited delivery time.
Researchers divided anonymised blood samples collected from healthy volunteers into two groups. One group travelled aboard the drone, while the other was retained as a control. Sensors monitored temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, vibration and acceleration throughout the journey to determine whether the flight affected biomarkers used in anti-doping tests.
The autonomous heavy-lift aircraft, built by Windracers, completed the route from Nenana Municipal Airport on Aug. 19, with operational support from the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration.
“Through this research, we are assessing whether drone technology can become a reliable additional option for transporting samples over long distances or across difficult terrain,” ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen said.
The project follows a smaller trial conducted in Doha in 2022, when drones transported blood samples over distances of up to 20 kilometres. The ITA said drone delivery is being explored as a supplementary option and is not intended to replace existing transportation methods.