Drone Delivery on the Great Wall
Hungry tourists hiking on the Great Wall of China can now get their lunch delivered—from the air. Chinese food delivery giant Meituan has introduced a new drone service to deliver food, drinks, and other goods, such as medical supplies, to customers at a remote section of this ancient monument on the outskirts of Beijing.
A First for Beijing
This is the first drone delivery service in the capital, contributing to China’s rapidly expanding drone delivery market. As the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of civilian consumer drones, China is using this technology to enhance convenience in both urban and rural areas.
The Great Wall Drone Route
The drone delivery route extends from a hotel rooftop to a watchtower on the southern extension of Badaling, the most popular section of the Great Wall. Opened last year, this extension retains the wall’s ruined state and typically experiences high summer temperatures, with no commercial facilities available. According to Yan Yan, public affairs director of Meituan’s drone business, drones can significantly reduce travel time, making a 50-minute foot trip in just five minutes to deliver essential supplies.
Capabilities and Costs
Meituan’s drones can fly in moderate wind and rain and carry up to 2.3 kilograms (about 5 pounds) per trip. The delivery fee is just 4 yuan (56 cents), the same as regular Meituan deliveries. The service operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., after which the drones transport trash to recycling stations.
Human Assistance Still Required
While the drones fly autonomously, human help is still needed. After an order is placed, a Meituan worker collects it from a nearby store and takes it to the hotel rooftop. The package is then weighed, packaged, and attached to the drone. It then flies to the watchtower, where another worker is waiting to receive it. App users can then pick up their packages from the worker.
Drone Delivery Expansion
Drone delivery services have seen rapid growth in China. In 2016, e-commerce giant JD.com launched the first drone delivery trials in rural areas, significantly reducing delivery times in mountainous regions. Meituan completed its first drone delivery in Shenzhen in 2021 and now operates more than 30 drone routes in various cities, including Shanghai, handling over 300,000 orders.
Navigating Urban Spaces
To navigate dense urban environments, drones follow predetermined routes from launch sites, typically rooftops, to pick-up points. Instead of delivering directly to residences or office windows, the drones drop off deliveries at kiosks near buildings, where customers can retrieve their orders. Since last year, Meituan has also established drone delivery pickup kiosks in public parks in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
A New Growth Engine
The expansion of drone delivery services aligns with a government initiative to develop the “low-altitude economy,” which includes businesses centered around manned and unmanned aerial vehicles operating below 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). The “low-altitude economy” was recognized as a new growth driver for China’s economy in the central government’s work report in March.
References:
CNN News – https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/22/tech/china-drone-delivery-great-wall-intl-hnk/index.html