Meituan, a Chinese food delivery giant, has introduced a drone delivery service to bring food, drinks, and other goods to tourists visiting the Great Wall of China. The service, announced last week, aims to provide necessary supplies to visitors at the distant section of the Great Wall, specifically the southern extension of Badaling. This section of the wall does not have any commercial facilities, so the drones will be a convenient way to deliver items to those in need.
The drone route begins from a hotel rooftop and ends at a watchtower on the southern extension of Badaling, which is the most popular section of the Great Wall. Meituan’s drone service has the capability to handle deliveries of food, drinks, medical supplies, and other essential items to visitors in need. This service will help to make trips quicker and more convenient for tourists, as items that would typically take 50 minutes to reach on foot can now be delivered in just five minutes via drone.
Orders for the drone delivery service can be placed through Meituan’s platform, and once the order is picked up from a nearby store, it will be brought to the hotel rooftop for weighing and packaging. The order will then be attached to the drone by an operator and flown to the watchtower where it will be received by another human worker. Customers can pick up their orders from the watchtower worker, making the entire process smooth and efficient for both delivery personnel and customers.
The drone service by Meituan will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing essential items to visitors during their time at the Great Wall. After this time, the drones will also help with the disposal of trash by carrying it to recycling bins. The drones are capable of carrying up to 5lbs per trip and can fly in moderate wind and rain conditions, ensuring that deliveries can be made efficiently regardless of the weather conditions.
The cost of using the drone delivery service will be the same as a regular food delivery fee for Meituan, which is just 4 yuan (56 cents). This affordable option will make it convenient for visitors to get the items they need while visiting the Great Wall, without the added cost of expensive delivery fees. This service will be the first of its kind in Beijing, adding to China’s growing drone delivery business, as the country is a top manufacturer and exporter of civilian consumer drones.
Overall, Meituan’s drone delivery service at the Great Wall of China aims to provide a convenient and efficient solution for tourists in need of food, drinks, medical supplies, and other essential goods during their visit. The drones will help to make trips quicker and more enjoyable for visitors, especially in areas where there are no commercial facilities available. With affordable delivery fees and the ability to handle various items, this service will add to China’s growing drone delivery industry and provide a unique experience for tourists exploring the historic monument.
