China's Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is experiencing a boom in its low-altitude economy as companies continue to expand the range of applications for drones.
One very popular use of drones in recent years is drone-performed light shows.
At a drone show company in Shenzhen City, south China's Guangdong Province, formation designers are working hard to prepare for the upcoming Spring Festival season.
Designer Qin Haiqun said that during the recent New Year holiday period, the company simultaneously staged dozens of drone shows featuring tens of thousands of flights both domestically and internationally.
"After completing New Year's Eve shows in multiple locations at home and abroad, our schedule ahead is also very tight. We expect the number of drones deployed in a single performance to continue increasing, as many clients are now asking for shows featuring 5,000, 8,000 or more than 10,000 of drones," said Qin.
Xue Haoran is a drone flight path planner who leads a team of over ten members. As the industry continues to thrive, the team has traveled tirelessly across the country to survey sites and undertake various flight path planning projects.
"Initially, we were responsible for the entire Shenzhen area, but recently we've been taking on projects outside that scope. This year, we've taken on projects in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Zhongshan, cities in Hainan Province, as well as cities near Zhuhai," said Xue.
Starting from planning flight routes of just over ten kilometers, Xue's team is now planing hundred-kilometer level routes while developing application plans for special scenarios such as cross-city and cross-sea operations.
"Initially, the drones were used primarily for standard courier services, essentially logistics using aircraft instead of cars. Now drones are transporting items like seafood and fruits with short shelf lives, significantly improving delivery times. They are also being used to transport confidential documents and urgently needed medical supplies for hospitals," said Xue.
To meet the growing demand for drones driven by increased use, manufacturers in the region have upgraded their production methods.
In Guangzhou, the world's first mass production facility for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with an annual production capacity of more than 10,000 is now entering a critical trial production phase.
"We aim to produce ten thousand aircraft annually, which means delivering one every half hour. Such a high production efficiency makes it a must for us to build automated production lines similar to that of the automotive industry," said engineer Yang Qi.
Expanded drone utilization boosts low-altitude economy in China's Greater Bay Area
