Drones Deliver More Than Food in China’s Flying City

Hefei, a city about the size of Chicago, is turning into a hub for drones that do far more than drop snacks. The local authorities use these unmanned aircraft to move everyday items, from meals ordered at parks to life‑saving blood supplies heading to hospitals. The technology is part of a broader strategy that sees drones as the backbone of an emerging “low‑altitude economy. ” Electric cars are common in China, and the country has installed countless charging stations. Hefei takes this a step further by offering automated battery‑swap depots where a robot can replace a vehicle’s battery in minutes—much like swapping AA batteries. This system speeds up the recharge process and reduces downtime for drivers.Beyond logistics, Hefei is experimenting with airborne transport for people. The city’s multi‑rotor flying taxis can carry two passengers at speeds up to 80 mph. While they cannot fly for long—only about 25 minutes—and are controlled remotely, they represent a practical test of urban air mobility that could one day compete with ground transport. The push toward electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles is driven by China’s desire to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. By investing heavily in clean energy research, the nation hopes to produce affordable, quiet, and environmentally friendly air vehicles. If successful, China could export this technology worldwide, encouraging other countries to adopt greener aviation solutions. These developments illustrate how drones and eVTOLs could reshape city life, making deliveries faster and potentially opening new routes for people to travel. The experiment in Hefei shows the promise—and challenges—of integrating aerial services into everyday urban life.