In a groundbreaking move, China's leading food delivery platform Meituan has launched its first drone-powered food delivery route in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The service, operated by Keeta – a Meituan subsidiary – took off from the Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin on June 6.
Covering a 1.8-kilometer flight across the sea, the drone delivered food to Ma On Shan Promenade in just five minutes—a dramatic upgrade from the usual 40-minute drive that road couriers take over a 7.8-kilometer route.
This innovative pilot program is part of Hong Kong's new regulatory sandbox for the low-altitude economy, introduced by the HKSAR government in late 2024. Michael Wong, deputy financial secretary and head of the Working Group on Developing the Low-Altitude Economy, highlighted that Hong Kong will continue to drive low-altitude innovations with a market-led approach that breaks down regulatory barriers and builds necessary infrastructure.
Meituan is set to expand its drone service further, with plans for a new route connecting the science park to residential areas in Ma On Shan, featuring automated aerial drop-off lockers for added convenience. This leap in technology is redefining food delivery, merging futuristic drone tech with everyday needs.
Stay tuned as this speedy service soars to new heights—one fast delivery at a time! 🚀🍱
Reference(s):
China's Meituan launches first drone delivery route in Hong Kong
cgtn.com
