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ABZero, a spin-off company of the Sant'Anna School, has won the 2024 Eco-Innovation Award in the micro-enterprises section: it has combined the three dimensions of sustainable development thanks to Smart Capsule: transports perishable medical products

Using drones equipped with artificial intelligence and 5G communication, it is possible to safely deliver delicate and perishable substances such as blood, blood products, organs and drugs

Publication date: 22.01.2025
Premio Eco Innovazione alla spin-off della Scuola Sant'Anna ABZero
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The Sant'Anna School's spin-off company ABZero has won one of the two awards within the framework of the Eco-Innovation 2024 call for entries of the North-West Tuscany Chamber of Commerce. The recognition was awarded to companies, located in the provinces of Lucca, Massa-Carrara and Pisa, that in the last two years have distinguished themselves for having implemented innovation programmes capable of combining the three dimensions of sustainable development- economic, social and ecological - thus consolidating their presence on the national and international market.

ABZero won the award, presented in December 2024, for the micro-business section thanks to the market introduction of the Smart Capsule, an innovation for healthcare transport, using drones equipped with artificial intelligence and 5G-based communication. This solution allows better handling and safeguarding of perishable products with high medical value. The Smart Capsule is capable of containing delicate and perishable substances, such as blood , blood products and organs, but also medicines that are particularly susceptible to temperature variations during transport, such as vaccines.

The advantages of the Smart Capsule combined with drone delivery areconsiderable: delivery times over short distances and medium distances (up to 40-70 kilometres) are reduced by up to 80 per cent and a load capacity of up to 4 kilograms can be increased. Thanks to these features, it is possible to transport 10 or more bags of blood or blood products, medicines or equipment. 

Cover photo: the ABZero team during the award ceremony.