Shanghai completes China's first mail delivery using giant drone

Shanghai completed China's first mail delivery using a giant drone destined for an island in neighbouring Zhejiang Province late in May, Shanghai-based news outlet the paper reported.

A photo snapped by a camera fixed on the drone shows the amphibious drone taxing at the water line of an airport in Shanghai's Jinshan District on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. [Photo: wechat]

With an average speed of 135 km/h, the U650 fixed-wing amphibious drone completed its 110 kilometer journey in a time of 52 minutes.

A staff member of the drone manufacturer said that drone transporting is still in its early stage of development in China, with more breakthroughs needing to be achieved in terms of technology, safety, policy as well as feasibility.

The amphibious drone enables residents living on distant islands with an underdeveloped transportation system to maintain contact with the outside world in a fast and convenient manner, he added.

A photo snapped by a camera fixed on the drone shows the amphibious drone in the air en route to an island in Zhejiang Province on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. [Photo: wechat]

The report said the maiden flight will mark the beginning of utilizing giant drone transportation in remote islands and more commercial flights will be trialed to cater for the needs of island residents in the future.