Drones in China

Main article: China

2023

UAV market growth by a third to RMB505.95 billion

At the end of 2023, the market for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in China reached approximately 505.95 billion yuan (about $69.9 billion). This is a third (33.8%) more than the result recorded a year earlier. In the future, the rapid development of the industry is expected, as stated in the report of the research company CCID Consulting, published in early April 2024.

In 2023, revenue from sales of electric drones with vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) in China rose by 77.3% on an annualized basis - to 980 million yuan ($138.49 million). In 2024, this segment is expected to develop due to the wider commercial application of the devices in areas such as aerial photography and tourism.

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Revenues of the Chinese civil drone sector in 2023 amounted to 117.4 billion yuan ($16.59 billion), which is 32% more than in 2022. At the same time, industrial-class UAVs are used in a wide range of areas, such as emergency rescue operations, patrolling power lines, agriculture, as well as monitoring and security tasks.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, by the end of 2023, the number of registered drones in the PRC was approximately 1.27 million units: year-on-year growth was recorded at 32.2%. These drones flew a total of 23.1 million hours in the country, an increase of 11.8% compared to 2022.

Analysts believe that the Chinese UAV market will reach over 1 trillion yuan ($141.32 billion at the exchange rate as of May 6, 2024) by 2026. Thus, approximately twofold growth is predicted in relation to 2023. The drivers of the industry are the development of drone infrastructure and the deployment of new commercial platforms.^[1]

Drones have been created that distribute tasks in group flights. They jointly search for items and patrol perimeters

In early November 2023, Chinese researchers from the School of Artificial Intelligence, Optics and Electronics at Northwestern Polytechnic University in Shaanxi Province reported the development of "human brain" drones capable of solving complex problems through group chats. Such drones are able to cooperate and distribute responsibilities using natural language messages.

Project participants note that usually communication algorithms for drones mimic colonies of bees and ants. Chinese scientists took a different path: they created a model that allows drones to interact like humans. Drone communication takes place in human language, which makes the thinking of machines transparent to humans. And therefore, researchers can better understand the behavior of drones and optimize algorithms based on the data obtained.

Chinese researchers report 'human brain' drone development

The system is based on a large open source language model called InternLM. As part of the experiment, a group of five drones was tasked with finding a key bundle. Immediately after receiving the mission, three drones "voluntarily" began searching, while two other drones equipped with grips told the group they could raise their keys. The drones carried out the distribution of tasks within the cluster on their own.

Each drone was assigned a specific search area. During operation, the drones coordinated their actions to improve efficiency, and also created a simplified map of the area. In addition, they could identify human operators and avoid them in their path, ensuring safer flights. The equipment of drones includes various sensors, and special algorithms allow them to search at low altitudes, dynamically fly around obstacles and perform visual positioning.

Once the keys were found, the drones shared images of them with the user via group chat for confirmation. The technology can come in handy in areas ranging from logistics and security checks to disaster relief.^[2]

The world's first drone using explosion energy to disperse is presented

China In September 2023, the first tests of a new one were held, drone using the energy of the explosion to accelerate the engine. Drone with the name FB-1 RDE was developed by the Chunqing University Research Institute and a private Chinese company based Thrust-to-Weight Ratio Engine in Shenzhen. The tests took place in a secret location in Gansu province, China. More. here

China to limit drone exports

China has decided to restrict the export of drones and drone production equipment in order to "protect national security and interests." This was announced on July 31, 2023 by Reuters with reference to the country's Ministry of Commerce. Read more here.

China unveils drone that can fly and swim underwater

In early February 2023, a team of specialists from China's Shanghai Intelligent Autonomous Systems Research Institute, Tongji University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong unveiled an unusual drone called the TJ-FlyingFish. This drone is able not only to fly, but also to swim and even dive under water. Read more here.

Making a laser-powered drone that can stay airborne forever

In early January 2023, a team of scientists in China led by Professor Li Xuelong from Northwestern Polytechnic University unveiled a drone with a special module that converts light energy into electricity to remotely power the electric motor. It is argued that the UAV is able to always be in the air.

China tested a laser-powered drone

According to the South China Morning Post, the authors hide the details of their development, since the developed device can be used in the country's military industry.

Scientists decided that if you equip the drone with a photoelectric conversion module that converts light energy into electricity, then a high-energy laser beam can not only track it, but also remotely control it. According to the developers, the experiment successfully combined the autonomous charging process with intelligent signal transmission and processing technology, demonstrating unlimited endurance potential for optical-controlled drones (ODD).

According to the researchers, the first task was to track drones in the air. The team developed a tracking algorithm based on intelligent visual perception to follow and accurately predict ODD targets during their flight. The algorithm tolerated lighting, scale and rotation well, was stable in various conditions and provided accurate positioning of drones, the report said. In order to increase the wireless transmission distance, Li Xuelong and his team needed to reduce the attenuation of a traditional laser beam in the atmosphere. Their solution was adaptive beam formation technology, which can autonomously regulate its intensity, scientists said.

The adjustment means that the negative impact of air turbulence and changes in atmospheric density can be reduced, which increases the efficiency and reliability of delivering laser energy over long distances, the report said. A protection algorithm has also been added to the system that automatically adjusts laser power to a safe range when an obstacle in the path of the beam is detected.

According to the developers, the team conducted three field tests: a subsequent indoor flight, an outdoor day flight and an outdoor night flight. In all scenarios, drones worked successfully. The developers believe that in the future the technology can be used to create a transport network of aerobuses.^[3]

2022

Production growth by 34% to $16.5 billion

At the end of 2022, the volume of production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in China in monetary terms reached approximately $16.5 billion. This is about a third - 34% - more than the previous year, when the size of the industry was estimated at $12.3 billion. Such data in early June 2023 were presented at the World Drone Congress in Shenzhen.

By the end of 2022, the number of enterprises, one way or another related to the production of drones in the PRC, exceeded 15 thousand. For comparison: a year earlier, this figure was approximately 12 thousand. Thus, an increase of 25% was recorded. About 95 thousand drones of various types are registered in China.

Drone production has grown in China

The Chinese UAV market is actively developing due to a number of factors. This is, in particular, the emergence of air delivery services, which have become especially in demand in light of the restrictions imposed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Beijing's policy to encourage the implementation of low-altitude logistics across the country has a positive impact on the industry. Drones are also helping big courier companies offset rising labor costs.

It is noted that leading Chinese technology corporations, including logistics firm SF Express, food and food delivery platform Meituan, as well as e-commerce service provider JD.com, are leading drone initiatives in the country. As of mid-2022, Shenzhen accounted for more than 70% of the world's consumer drones and approximately 50% of industrial UAVs. Large drones are being tested in China, which are capable of transporting significant volumes of cargo by air over long distances. Such devices will be in demand in hard-to-reach and remote regions.^[4]

China has created a drone that itself delivers and injects medicines to provide first aid

At the end of December 2022, it became known that Chinese researchers developed an advanced first aid system through an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). We are talking about targeted delivery of drugs. Read more here.

China has developed a roadmap for the development of the drone market

On August 23, 2022, the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) released a detailed plan outlining the targets the regulator wants to achieve by 2025, 2030 and 2035 to become the largest unmanned aerial vehicle market in the world, closing the gap to the United States.

The roadmap is open for public comment and includes improving regulations and expanding airspace capabilities for civilian UAVs, Reuters reported. The CAAC said the plan would be open for comment until September 5, 2022.

China has developed a map of the development of the drone market

The goal is to increase China's international competitiveness in the field of unmanned aviation, as well as the country's right to speak according to international rules and standards of civil aviation (...) and achieve the goal of becoming a world civil aviation power, "said a spokesman for the aviation department.

China has successfully adapted to the growth in the use of unmanned technologies for non-military purposes. Shenzhen-based DJI is the leading manufacturer of commercial drones with a market share of about 70%, according to Drone Industry Insights. The second and third places are occupied by the American company Intel (4.1%) and the Chinese Yuneec (3.6%).

Overall, the commercial drone market growth rate is estimated at about 41% between 2017 and 2024, with the value of China's drone industry expected to reach $25 billion in 2025.

However, despite robots the success of companies using box-like drones or on wheels to deliver parcels, regulatory hurdles prevent many industries from fully switching to unmanned systems, and many transport services continue to rely heavily on human couriers. The aviation authority's roadmap aims to address this gap and provide the latest push that is expected to allow the sector to reach its full potential.^[5]

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