SHENZHEN, May 26 — China's drone industry is embracing a transformative era characterized by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), evolving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from traditional remote-controlled devices to sophisticated autonomous systems capable of self-guided problem solving.

The ninth Drone World Congress, concluded on Sunday in Shenzhen, featured 825 enterprises presenting an array of over 5,000 drone models.

A key focus of the event was the 'AI+' innovations aimed at redefining operational efficiencies in infrastructure management, cultural heritage preservation, disaster response, and urban governance.

Among the highlighted advancements was DJI’s Matrice 4E, which played a crucial role in the restoration of the historical Nankan Grottoes, a site dating back 1,300 years in Sichuan Province.

The drone executed autonomous mapping by establishing precise flight trajectories along the complex cliffside, capturing 18 gigabytes of imagery that facilitated the generation of a detailed 3D model in just 1.5 hours.

Cui Yu, a solutions engineer for DJI industrial applications, remarked on the impact of AI-driven workflows, stating that they have simplified previously labor-intensive processes and democratized access to advanced technological applications.

Integrated neural processors now augment drones with capabilities for real-time decision-making.

Drones equipped with lightweight AI chips in power facilities can now autonomously launch from designated nests, conduct equipment inspections, and return independently for battery recharges.

In disaster scenarios, UAVs like those from Autel Robotics can quickly navigate into landslide-affected areas, producing real-time 3D terrain models that streamline the planning of rescue operations from hours to mere minutes.

Liu Guozheng, marketing director at Autel, detailed the vision for 'embodied AI' that would enable drones to autonomously design patrol routes, detect anomalies, and coordinate with other robotic systems during operations.

Shenzhen's production statistics indicate a significant increase in output, with the city generating 48.2 percent more civilian drones in the first quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, companies such as Wisson Robotics are advancing biomimetic technology by integrating flexible aerial platforms.

These innovations allow drones to undertake tasks such as replacing navigation light bulbs along the Yangtze River or clearing debris from solar panels during adverse weather conditions.

Cheng Hui from Wisson emphasized the capabilities of tactile AI in enabling zero-contact operations in challenging weather conditions—functions previously deemed unfeasible with traditional rigid systems.

Drones are now capable of lifting objects that exceed their own weight multiple times.

Despite significant advancements, the drone industry continues to face obstacles including limitations related to battery life, challenges posed by electromagnetic interference impacting navigational accuracy, and slower development of regulatory frameworks in response to rapid technological advancements.

Yang Peng, Secretary-General of the Drone World Congress, underscored the importance of safety in operations and acknowledged the increasing demand for robust data privacy measures within this evolving landscape.