SkyRes

What it does

SkyRes is a system that delivers defibrillators faster than any in its class, solving critical delays in emergency response. Its ultra-fast, agile design ensures lifesaving equipment reaches patients swiftly when every second counts, regardless of terrain.

Your inspiration

The idea emerged from the observation that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death across Europe. The majority of sudden cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals. To maximize the chance of survival in such cases, response time must be minimized—each minute of delay in using a defibrillator reduces the likelihood of survival by 7–10%. At the same time, the median emergency response time in many European countries exceeds 15 minutes. To improve survival chances, we are developing a system that delivers an AED three times faster than a traditional ambulance.

How it works

Our design is a fast and maneuverable drone that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter but flies forward like an airplane. This is possible by its flying wing configuration. The drone has no separate fuselage, so its entire surface generates lift, making it lightweight and efficient. Two electric motors mounted on the leading edge of the wing can tilt to change the direction of thrust. Combined with the movement of control surfaces, this allows smooth transitions between vertical and horizontal flight. The drone is stored in a rooftop base station and launches automatically in an emergency. When someone nearby experiences sudden cardiac arrest, the notified emergency center dispatches the drone along with a medical team. The drone takes off, flies at 160 km/h to the location, hovers near the patient, and lowers a defibrillator. The caller can immediately begin defibrillation. The drone then returns to the station and recharges for the next mission.

Design process

The design process began with a requirements and problem definition. Based on governmental health data in Poland and the distribution of hospitals, the area to be covered by a single drone was defined. After target AED delivery time (5 minutes) were established, additional requirements were evaluated. These included the required average horizontal speed (160 km/h) and the necessary electronics for autonomous flight. At this stage, a benchmarking process was started. Similar systems were compared and evaluated, with the advantages and disadvantages of specific solutions. Based on this analysis, the team decided to design a flying wing, tail-sitter UAV. This marked the beginning of the iterative design process, which included draft designs, basic calculations, hardware selection, and aerodynamic simulations. Once project proved feasible on paper, a full CAD model was developed. In addition to computer simulations, a scaled 3D-printed prototype was tested in a wind tunnel together with the propulsion system, where the calculated performance was validated. The structural strength of the design was also assessed through composite sample testing. Full scale validation is also planned. Currently, the first functional prototype is under production and will undergo functional testing.

How it is different

The designed drone combines the characteristics of a rotatory-wing and a fixed-wing aircraft in a flying wing configuration with vertical take-off and landing capability. This allows the system to be deployed in any location. Our UAV can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, utilizing the lift generated by its wing. This ensures a greater range and flight speed compared to conventional multirotor drones, which are limited by the need to maintain tilt angle. A key feature of the system is the transition from vertical to horizontal flight with use of single pair of electric motors simplifying the overall design. Unlike existing solutions, we do not use defibrillator drop methods, eliminating the risk of AED damage or patient injury. Just 5 systems are sufficient to cover an area of approximately 1,000 km², enabling access to a person in need in under 5 minutes. This fills a technological gap and significantly increases survival chances for cardiac arrest victims.

Future plans

Plan for future includes integration with emergency dispatch centers and validation of hardware under extreme weather and safety protocols. Pilot deployments with select municipalities will demonstrate real-world impact. After trials, we will secure regulatory approvals and launch commercial operations for emergency medical services and corporate responders. Future enhancements will include autonomous routing, real-time data analytics, operator training, and a sustainable maintenance network. We will pursue compliance with international airspace regulations and secure strategic funding through partnerships to support scaling and development.

Awards

The project also won 2nd place in ING Bank’s 7th Grant Program. Leading theme of the competition was sustainable development of the cities. The project gained recognition at the National Centre for Research and Development, which awarded us a research grant for further development.