Meituan's UAV delivery service wows visitors

Members of ASEAN Media's View on Digital China Media Tour were impressed by the efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in completing deliveries within 15 minutes during their visit at Meituan · Longhua, Shenzhen National Local Service Consumption Big Data Operation Center (CDOC) on Tuesday.

In order to improve the efficiency and experience of urban instant delivery, Meituan launched the exploration of the UAV delivery service in 2017. In early 2021, Meituan completed its first drone delivery in Shenzhen.

As of December 2022, Meituan's drone delivery service has landed in five commercial districts in Shenzhen and Shanghai, covering 18 communities and office buildings, serving about 20,000 households, and completing more than 120,000 orders.

The average delivery time of Meituan's UAV in 2022 was about 12 minutes, which is nearly 150 percent more efficient than traditional delivery models, saving users about 30,000 hours of waiting time.

Meituan developed drones, automated airports, intelligent dispatch systems and other components for the construction of a low-altitude intelligent logistics network in cities, with more than 90 percent of the parts being self-developed, achieving the localization of core technologies.

The low-altitude logistics network aims to provide more convenient delivery services in urban areas by utilizing a combination of air and ground transportation modes. Leveraging Meituan's strengths in scene selection, technology and operations, this network satisfies more emergency user needs, improves existing service experience and makes deliveries more convenient in various urban scenarios.

Furthermore, it can supplement the delivery capacity of riders, reducing their workload and making their work easier. Ultimately, this network plays a crucial role in promoting urban intelligence and national technological innovation.

The CDOC is jointly built by the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Longhua District's Government and Meituan, and began trial operations in 2020.

With the strategic advantage of Shenzhen and Longhua District's construction of a leading area for digital economy, as well as Meituan's big data advantage in the life service consumption field, the CDOC has become a dynamic window reflecting the development of "digital economy + life service industry" in China.