Astro proposes autonomous med-evac pod

Lewisville, Texas-based Astro Aerospace Ltd., which is creating autonomous, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles and drones, has proposed a med-evac/ambulance vehicle.

The low-altitude fast response aircraft (LaFRa) concept joins Astro’s ALTA fleet of pods and targets the search-and-rescue and ambulance/medical markets.

The ALTA LaFRa pod includes two medical beds, onboard oxygen supply, and ease of entry and exit.

Although the current COVID-19 situation has temporarily halted development of the current build, Astro continues to develop pods for multiple industries.

“It’s important for us to recognize and follow the protocols regarding COVID-19 and we have suspended production to ensure our team, suppliers, and their families are safe.

“We will be resurrecting the build of the ALTA program immediately following the advice of the governing bodies when it is safe to return”, says Astro CEO Bruce Bent.

Astro officials see the modular ALTA design, in combination with a series of custom-use specific pods, helping private business, government, medical agencies, and personal use (initially on private property) put into place much sooner than the higher risk, commuting segment, due to the lengthy and complicated certification processes.

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