Maple Aviation leads ESA SURGEON medical-drone project
Maple Aviation began the ESA-backed SURGEON demonstration project with Fraunhofer IVI and Klinikum Rechts der Isar to develop autonomous medical-drone delivery.
Evidence notes
- Fraunhofer IVI is developing software for the project, while Klinikum Rechts der Isar is the pilot user and customer.
- SURGEON combines satellite-derived semantic maps, visual-inertial odometry and onboard imaging for GNSS-independent navigation.
- The consortium completed a propulsion prototype, began flight testing and passed a German aviation-authority technical audit for BVLOS corridor operations.
Company context
Maple Aviation is a German cargo-drone developer building autonomous electric aircraft and medical-delivery infrastructure.