【Drone】Attending the UASExpo【China’s UFOs】

From May 24 to 26, 2024, I took part in UASExpo 2024, held at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center in Futian District, Shenzhen.

I would like to share some impressions from this event.

About UASExpo

UASExpo, held annually since 2016, is one of the world’s largest exhibitions in the drone sector in terms of both scale and the range of exhibits.

In addition to drone technology, many booths focus on robotics and autonomous driving technologies.

With a wide variety of drones showcasing diverse designs, specifications, and applications, the exhibition provides a tangible experience of both technological trends and the expanding scope of the industry.

Highlighted Drones at the Exhibition

At this exhibition, we identified two drones that stood out to us, which we would like to present here.

① Meituan’s Delivery Drone

One of the most prominent exhibits was the delivery drone developed by Meituan.

In Shenzhen, pilot operations of drone-based delivery services have already begun, and having the opportunity to observe the actual machine up close was particularly valuable.

The drone adopts a design that enables takeoff and landing from the top of the delivery box, a concept clearly developed with urban delivery operations in mind.

From a technical standpoint, the drone appears to undergo continuous refinements in areas such as flight range, night-flight capability, and stability under adverse weather conditions.

The proactive approach of Chinese companies in pushing forward with such innovations once again left a strong impression.

② SMD’s iUFO

Another particularly striking exhibit was the “iUFO” developed by SMD Co., Ltd.

This aircraft is designed primarily for tourism and entertainment purposes, featuring a disc-shaped structure with a central passenger space. Its eye-catching appearance drew considerable attention at the exhibition.

In flight, its movements were distinctly different from conventional drones—so much so that it truly lived up to the name “UFO.”

Other Highlights from the Event

Summary

UASExpo provided an engaging opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of the latest trends in unmanned systems, including not only drone technology but also autonomous driving and robotics.

Through this exhibition, it became clear that drones are steadily becoming integrated as part of critical social infrastructure—supporting disaster relief, patrolling, and logistics—rather than merely serving as gadgets.