In a groundbreaking achievement, Chinese drone manufacturer DJI has successfully conducted the world's first drone delivery tests on Mount Qomolangma, the highest peak on Earth. The tests, which took place on the Nepal side of the mountain, have showcased the immense potential of China's drone industry in revolutionizing high-altitude mountaineering logistics, enhancing safety, and promoting environmental conservation.
During the April tests, DJI employed its FlyCart 30 drone to transport three bottles of oxygen and 1.5 kg of other essential supplies from the Base Camp, situated at an altitude of 5,364 meters, to Camp 1, located at approximately 6,000 meters. On the return trip, the drone carried down garbage, demonstrating its versatility in both delivering supplies and facilitating waste management. Remarkably, the DJI FlyCart 30 achieved a maximum altitude of 6,191.8 meters during the tests, proving its ability to operate steadily with a 15-kg payload at 6,000 meters.
The primary objective of DJI's team was to address the transportation bottleneck between Base Camp and Camp 1, which are separated by the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Traditionally, local Sherpa guides have been responsible for transporting supplies and clearing trash on Mount Qomolangma, often risking their lives by navigating the icefall over 30 times in a single season. DJI's delivery drones aim to alleviate the burden on these guides, reducing the risks they face and improving overall safety on the mountain.
The successful tests have far-reaching implications for the mountaineering community and the environment. By providing a safer and more efficient means of transporting supplies, such as oxygen bottles, gas canisters, tents, food, and ropes, DJI's drones can significantly reduce the number of trips required through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. Furthermore, the drones' ability to remove garbage from the mountain can help mitigate the environmental impact of increased mountaineering activities in recent years.
Christina Zhang, senior corporate strategy director at DJI, emphasized the potential of drone technology to revolutionize Mount Qomolangma mountaineering logistics, facilitate trash clean-up efforts, and enhance safety for all involved. The company hopes that its drones can provide transportation for commercial mountaineering, reduce accidents, and minimize environmental damage through garbage removal programs, ultimately contributing to the protection of this iconic mountain.
The successful tests have not only demonstrated the capabilities of DJI's delivery drones but have also paved the way for their wider adoption in the region. Following the tests, a Nepali drone operator has already begun offering regular drone delivery services on Mount Qomolangma since May 22. In China, DJI's delivery drones have been utilized on mature commercial climbing routes, such as Mount Gongga, to assist in transporting supplies.
Experts in China's unmanned aerial vehicle industry have lauded the breakthrough achieved by DJI's delivery drones on Mount Qomolangma. Jin Wei, deputy secretary-general of the China UAV Industry Innovation Alliance, noted that the tests have accumulated valuable experience and data for the development of the country's UAV industry. The ability of drones to replace helicopters as a relatively low-risk transport vehicle in harsh environments, such as high-altitude and frigid regions, deserts, and oceans, is expected to greatly expand the application space of UAVs.
The successful high-altitude transport tests are anticipated to catalyze the rapid development of upstream and downstream civil drone industries, further expanding application scenarios and market demand for the low-altitude economy. China's policies on the low-altitude economy, low-altitude airspace management, and application scenario development are expected to provide a strong boost to the UAV industry, as stated by Qi Juntong, chairman of drone manufacturer EFY Intelligent Control (Tianjin) Technology.
