Imagine ordering your favorite snack, and instead of waiting for a delivery person on a scooter or bike, a drone flies through the sky and brings it to you! 🍕🚁
In Hong Kong, this is now a reality! On June 6, a company called Meituan launched the first-ever drone food delivery route in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). A drone flew from the Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin all the way to the Ma On Shan Promenade, carrying delicious food.
The drone flew 1.8 kilometers over the sea and did it in just 5 minutes! 😲 That’s super fast compared to the usual 40 minutes it takes for a delivery person to drive 7.8 kilometers on the road.
This speedy service is operated by Keeta, a part of Meituan, which is a big food delivery company in China. It’s all part of a special program by the HKSAR government to explore new ways of using airspace close to the ground, called the “low-altitude economy.”
Michael Wong, the deputy financial secretary of the HKSAR government, said that Hong Kong will keep helping to develop this low-altitude economy. The government wants to make it easier for companies to use drones and other cool technologies by getting rid of some rules and building new infrastructure.
Meituan isn’t stopping here! They plan to expand their drone delivery services even more. They want to open a new drone route between the science park and residential areas in Ma On Shan. Food deliveries will be dropped off in special lockers where people can pick them up. How futuristic is that? 🍜🤖
Pretty soon, getting a drone to bring you dinner might be as normal as watching a movie online or chatting with friends on social media!
Reference(s):
China's Meituan launches first drone delivery route in Hong Kong
cgtn.com
