Drone swarm flight planning, an emerging profession that was officially recognized by Chinese authorities this year, is playing an increasingly important role in smart urban operation scenarios.
In July this year, drone swarm flight planning was officially recognized as a new national profession by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
Currently, drones in China are no longer just used for performances, but also have become versatile tools in various scenarios such as traffic control, accident investigation, and low-altitude delivery.
At a command and dispatch center in Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, drone swarm flight planners input parameters on the screen, and with a click of the mouse, multiple drones will take off simultaneously from an automated outdoor hangar and fly to their respective operational locations.
"The main purpose is to use drones to identify slope depressions along expressways. We will conduct 3D spatial data collection along the route and design flight routes in advance," said Tian Peng, a drone swarm flight planner at the Jiangsu Aviation Enterprises Group.
According to leading official with the group, the application of drones has gradually shifted from the traditional single-drone operation mode to refined, professional and large-scale operations, spurring the demand for job specialization, and the skill structure of the original practitioners is no longer sufficient to meet the requirements of these multi-professional and interdisciplinary composite positions.
"We need specialized talent. They need to understand flight, meteorology, simulation, and the entire control and digitalization process. Therefore, we are currently assembling our team by continuously drawing talent from different industries, including electronics and communications, design, and materials," said Xu Zhaohai, technical director at the Jiangsu Aviation Enterprises Group.
The new job requires multi-skilled human resources such as technically proficient, planning-savvy and collaborative staff members, according to industry insiders.
At the Jiangsu Provincial Low-Altitude Flight Service Center, officials said drone operators are showcasing their talent in sectors including power transmission, inspections and transportation.
"According to our data, drones are already widely used in power line inspections and agriculture across the province, and their application in the transportation sector has also played a significant role. Currently, we provide various consulting and operational management services to over 70,000 drone flight users and more than 400 enterprises within the province," said Yang Haitong, the service center's director.
As application scenarios continue to expand, more and more young people are being attracted to this blue ocean of the low-altitude economy.
"Being able to apply drone technology to different scenarios and industries makes me feel excited about this emerging industry," said Ban Xiayin, a drone swarm flight planner.
China's drone swarm flight planning plays increasingly important role in urban scenarios
