I discovered that the fact of drone supply remains to be removed from best, and folks could also be turned away by the steep studying curve. However on the similar time, it was an thrilling expertise—the prospect of routine drone supply feels extra life like than it’s ever been.

Meituan at present operates greater than 100 drones from 5 supply hubs (or launchpads) within the metropolis. Collectively, they accomplished over 100,000 orders in 2022. Whereas the platform itself can ship mainly something, from dinner to drugs to contemporary flowers to digital gadgets, the drones are largely used for meals and drinks. 

Why? As a result of Chinese language folks care concerning the temperature of their meals, Mao Yinian, head of Meituan’s drone supply division, tells me. “Individuals care about it drastically—whether or not they can obtain a sizzling meal or a cup of iced bubble tea in time. However with regards to different [types of products], folks don’t thoughts if it arrives half-hour sooner or slower,” he says. Since Meituan’s drone flight routes are all automated—and the drones by no means run into site visitors—it’s simpler to exactly management the time it takes for the meal to be delivered. The drones often arrive inside seconds of the estimated time.

To have a cup of bubble tea delivered precisely if you need it? As a bubble tea fanatic, all I can say is signal me up. However once I tried it out, I came upon it’s not so simple as it sounds.

The primary impediment: the drones don’t ship to the doorstep. As a substitute, they ship to certainly one of a dozen pickup places scattered across the metropolis—vending-machine-size kiosks that perform as each a touchdown pad for the drone and storage to your bundle should you’re late to choose it up. 

ZEYI YANG

Right here started my first try. After wanting up all Meituan pickup places on the map, I selected one close to the subway station I used to be at. I ordered an iced coconut tea latte, which was particularly marked within the app as being deliverable by a drone. I paid and started ready in pleasure.

Nope. I instantly received a textual content telling me that “due to a system improve,” my order could be delivered by a human courier as an alternative. Was it due to the dangerous climate? There had been a rainstorm in Shenzhen that morning, and the sky was nonetheless lined with darkish clouds. However once I checked with a consultant at Meituan, she stated the drones had been working. 

It seems, she informed me, I had ordered from a restaurant in a unique district, and there have been no drone routes that flew from there to the kiosk I needed to ship my order to. There’s no method to know that from the app, she stated.