• Savings Directions
• November 2, 2024

Expanding Applications Across Diverse Scenarios

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In recent years, the landscape of aviation technology in China has been rapidly evolving, with traditional and innovative aircraft such as helicopters, drones, and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) becoming integral components across various sectorsThese advancements facilitate applications in logistics, agricultural protection, industrial inspection, and aerial tourism, while also exploring new frontiers in medical emergency response and scientific expeditionsAs these technologies mature, questions emerge: How can we effectively implement low-altitude economic applications? What strategies can we employ to foster interconnected developments across sectors driven by the low-altitude economy?

In a remarkable initiative, the ecological environment bureau of Pukou District, Nanjing, joined forces with Dayi Aviation, a leading drone enterprise, to conduct an innovative ecological monitoring operation

At the event, over 30 drones of various types took flight under the direction of staff members, forming a well-coordinated fleetThese unmanned aerial vehicles employed a grid-based inspection method, which entailed dividing into groups and alternating altitudes to meticulously survey vital ecological zones encompassing 522 square kilometers in the district.

Currently, Pukou District has established over 40 flight routes within five primary categories: low-altitude inspection, low-altitude delivery, low-altitude medical transport, low-altitude sightseeing, and low-altitude bus servicesAccording to Hai Zhou, an expert in low-altitude applications at Nanjing Unicom, the scenarios within the low-altitude economy are diverse and encompass four main types: low-altitude infrastructure scenarios, low-altitude production operations, low-altitude public services, and aerial consumption scenarios

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There has already been significant expansion in low-altitude production operations, spurred by continuous advancements in fifth-generation mobile communication and artificial intelligenceThe future of low-altitude applications appears poised for a shift towards automation, unmanned operation, digital integration, and intelligence.

In Wuhan, the low-altitude economy is blossomingThe launch of the "Sky Bus" service has generated considerable public interest, while drone delivery services for cross-border shopping highlight the potential for commercial integration within this burgeoning sectorThe successful inaugural flight of the country's first cross-river commercial drone delivery route exemplifies the promising intersections between low-altitude economic activities and business opportunities.

Chen Hongtao, responsible for political and enterprise projects at SF Express in Hubei, anticipates that as application scenarios develop, drone operations will be scaled up to make air delivery services more affordable for local residents.

Shenzhen, too, has made notable strides in low-altitude economic development, thanks to flagship enterprises and a rich urban demand landscape

In this city, drone deliveries have become commonplace in various settings such as office buildings, communities, tourist attractions, municipal parks, campuses, and librariesThe emergence of aerial tours, low-altitude freight transport, and drone shows has injected fresh dynamism into urban transportation, logistics, and cultural tourism, as well as opened new avenues for economic growthAdditionally, Shenzhen's drone light shows have gained international acclaim, featuring prominently in events such as the Paris Olympics and the Saudi National Day celebrationsFurthermore, Longgang District has initiated a pilot project for drone firefighting applications in high-rise buildings, enhancing efficiency and safety in emergency responses.

Caolin Zhongxiong, director of the Digital Economy and Global Strategy Research Institute at the China (Shenzhen) Comprehensive Development Research Institute, emphasized the importance of defining and innovating application scenarios in the early stages of emerging industries, as this directly impacts market acceptance and the formulation of stable commercialization pathways

Shenzhen is accelerating infrastructure development for low-altitude takeoffs and landings, constructing a network of facilities and a digital management service platform for low-altitude airspace at the municipal levelThis effort is enriching a "low-altitude plus" ecosystem comprised of various application scenarios.

Nationwide, several provinces, cities, and regions are rolling out policies aimed at nurturing the low-altitude economy, complete with detailed development plans and articulated objectivesOne such initiative includes establishing pilot low-altitude routesThe upcoming Wuhan Low-Altitude Economic Development Promotion Conference in June 2024 aims to achieve a breakthrough of over 100 billion yuan in the low-altitude industry's scale by 2030, positioning Wuhan among the top-tier cities in the domestic low-altitude economic landscape.

The introduction of relevant policies is breathing new life into an already thriving low-altitude market

In Wuhan, a myriad of instant delivery platforms, drone logistics firms, and general aviation companies are strategizing new low-altitude flight routesStatistics reveal that there are more than 200 enterprises in Wuhan engaged in the research, production, sales, training, and services of drones, covering the entire industry chain from upstream components to downstream applicationsThere are particularly noteworthy R&D manufacturers, numbering over ten, whose impressive capabilities bolster the industrial strength.

He Min, the director of the Wuhan Transportation Bureau, remarked that the city is carefully considering various scene-based pilot needs while ensuring the safety of low-altitude flight activitiesConsequently, a low-altitude route plan has been developed, focused primarily on drone logistics while also accommodating aerial sightseeing and intercity transport.

Caolin Zhongxiong further noted that as application scenarios become richer and more active, regions should accelerate the establishment of a foundational policy framework, digital technology underpinnings, and supportive service structures for the low-altitude economy

In order to scale and solidify the low-altitude economy, it is vital to take a top-down approach, refining management systems, regulatory frameworks, and supplementary service systems, while systematically opening up more airspace resources and easing regulatory burdens to create conditions conducive to innovation and scenario exploration.

Empowered by technological innovation and policy guidance, the low-altitude economy is emerging as a new, potentially trillion-yuan industry trajectoryHowever, sustainable high-quality development of the low-altitude economy hinges on enduring efforts in technological innovation, policy support, and risk mitigation, alongside continuous expansion of application scenarios to facilitate deep integration with other industries, ultimately unlocking significant development potential.

Transitioning from scenario implementation to viable business models will also hinge upon achieving regular operational capabilities

The launch of China's first low-altitude logistics operation base in Wuhan, alongside the activation of five domestic low-altitude flight routes, has showcased the feasibility and advantages of low-altitude logistics operationsThe Hankou North low-altitude port can accommodate multiple drone takeoffs and landings simultaneously, with individual drones boasting substantial payloads and ranges that closely match the costs of traditional transport methodsHowever, drones outperform in terms of timeliness and precision, enabling the five routes to operate on a model of "flying on demand," complete with an automated round-trip processWith over 200 drone-related enterprises in Wuhan encompassing various facets of the industry chain, the city's industrial prowess is unmistakableHubei Province and Wuhan City are actively developing an integrated management platform for low-altitude flights to offer comprehensive services and effective governance of such activities.

According to Caolin Zhongxiong, the latent potential of the low-altitude economy is immense and could experience a transformational leap akin to that seen in the renewable energy sector

However, the deepening and expansion of low-altitude economic applications face two primary constraints: firstly, the low-altitude economy is subject to stringent regulatory oversight, necessitating collaborative efforts across various departments to manage airspace, route design, ground facilities, and safety protocols; secondly, technical standards and regulatory guidelines have yet to comprehensively align with the needs driven by new products and modelsTo fully capitalize on market demand, it is essential to inspire traditional sectors and new enterprises alike to forge innovative, synergistic endeavors and partake in the economic dividends afforded by the low-altitude industry.

Industry experts advocate for a methodical and orderly advancement of the low-altitude economy, emphasizing the need for quality and sustainable application scenarios while identifying and mitigating industry risks

It is crucial to prevent drones and low-altitude vehicles from disrupting social and economic activities while also avoiding hasty expansions and homogenous competition that could lead to resource wastage amid aggressive local recruitment drivesEnterprises should be directed to align their strategic footings with their unique attributes, minimizing the likelihood of reckless expansions.

Hai Zhou concluded that once the low-altitude economy reaches maturity, urban skies could be populated with numerous drones, necessitating the establishment of a centralized system dubbed the "Low-Altitude Brain" for unified operational commandThe shift from human-operated to autonomous low-altitude applications will require an interlinked low-altitude network, which ensures a secure and efficient flying environment for various aircraftLocalities need to create tailored multiscenario application demonstration systems while fostering the development of a low-altitude smart network, enhancing the hardware infrastructure for low-altitude applications, and establishing robust technological platforms to support diverse facets of low-altitude economy.