This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
On May 10, 2020, a significant milestone was achieved in the fight against COVID-19 as Mercedes' breathing devices, co-designed with University College London, were delivered to NHS hospitals in the UK.
The UCL-Ventura breathing aid was designed to provide a less intrusive way of helping those suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, which primarily affect the lungs.
As part of 'Project Pitlane', Mercedes AMG's High Performance Powertrains and University College London collaborated to develop the UCL-Ventura device, which was manufactured at Mercedes-AMG HPP in Brixworth.
Within a remarkably short timeframe of less than 100 hours, the first unit was produced and underwent testing at UCL Hospital in London and other affiliated medical facilities.
The UK government ordered a batch of 10,000 devices, and they have now been delivered to NHS hospitals, marking a significant step forward in the fight against the pandemic.
Mercedes and UCL have made the designs available to copy free of charge, resulting in over 3,100 requests from teams across 105 countries, with 1,800 teams approved and the designs shared.
Mercedes AMG HPP Managing Director Andy Cowell expressed pride in the team's achievement, stating, 'It is exceptionally pleasing to see that the flow devices swiftly engineered and produced in volume here at Brixworth are helping patients around the UK.'
