Future of organ transport: integrating drones, artificial intelligence and portable perfusion technologies

Organ transport is entering a new era, driven by emerging technologies that aim to overcome longstanding logistical, geographical and clinical challenges. Among the most transformative are drones, which have already been used to deliver medical supplies and, in early trials, human donor organs. When combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and portable machine perfusion (PMP), these systems offer the potential to reduce delays, extend preservation windows and support real-time decision-making during transport. AI can facilitate route optimisation, environmental monitoring and predictive allocation, while PMP enables dynamic graft assessment and preservation—particularly for extended criteria donors. Together, these technologies could increase organ utilisation, reduce pressure on transplant teams and improve equity of access in rural and underserved regions. Environmental sustainability and workforce well-being may also be enhanced, though rigorous evaluation of cost-effectiveness and regulatory readiness is essential before widespread adoption. This paper explores how drones, AI and PMP could be integrated into UK transplant logistics, highlighting current pilots and outlining the key steps needed to translate this vision into clinical practice.