- tech360.tv
UAVs Take to the Skies for Deliveries
Updated: Jan 4
[Edited] Imagine receiving a piping hot cup of coffee or tea delivered right to your doorstep in half the time, without the risk of it turning cold due to frigid weather.
Credit: Meituan
This futuristic vision is becoming a reality in several Chinese cities, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are being used for deliveries.
Shenzhen, known as the hub of UAV companies with over 1,300 firms like DJI, saw its UAV industrial output reach a staggering 75 billion yuan ($10.9 billion) last year, accounting for 70 percent of China's total industrial output in the UAV field. Meituan, one of the pioneering tech companies, has been conducting UAV trials in Shenzhen and has successfully served 18 communities, completing nearly 120,000 orders.
Mao Yinian, head of Meituan's UAV business, believes that UAVs will play a significant role in distribution within a three-kilometer consumption area. These drones can fly at a height of less than 120 meters, with a flight speed of 10 meters per second. They have a maximum load capacity of 3 kilograms and can stay airborne for up to 20 minutes. Mao predicts that in the next five to ten years, the cost of unmanned deliveries will be on par with human deliveries, while also improving efficiency and user experience.
Meituan's UAV solutions for urban low-altitude logistics have received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, allowing the company to venture into commercialization. This milestone positions Meituan as a key player in the UAV delivery market.
Credit: China Daily
In Wenzhou, SF Express, a leading delivery company, has taken unmanned deliveries to new heights.
Their aerial drones are transporting boxes of delicate bayberries from mountaintops to delivery stations located far below. Previously, it took over two hours to transport the fruit, but now, thanks to the drones, it only takes a mere eight minutes. This innovation has revolutionized the delivery process for local farmers, as the fruit is prone to bruising during land transport.
While the adoption of UAVs for deliveries is gaining momentum, there are still challenges to overcome. He Xiongsong, executive president of Estar Capital, highlights the high costs of core components such as light detection and ranging (lidar) as a major barrier. Reducing these costs in a cost-effective industry remains a challenge for the unmanned delivery industry chain to grow and thrive.
As Chinese cities embrace UAVs for deliveries, the future of fast and efficient service is taking flight. With the potential to equalize costs with human deliveries and enhance user experience, UAVs are set to transform the delivery landscape in the coming years.
Chinese cities, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, are using UAVs for deliveries.
Shenzhen is the hub of UAV companies, with an industrial output of 75 billion yuan ($10.9 billion) last year.
Meituan, one of the tech companies conducting UAV trials, has served 18 communities and completed nearly 120,000 orders.
Source: CHINA DAILY