Meituan Launches China's First Nighttime Drone Delivery Service in Shenzhen

Meituan, the leading Chinese technology and retail company, has recently launched a nighttime drone delivery service in the southern city of Shenzhen. The move marks the first time in China that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been deployed for nighttime commercial deliveries in the instant retail sector, according to the company.

The new service will initially be trialed in several public parks, including Talent Park and Haifeng Sports Park, which are popular recreational areas in the evening. Deliveries will operate daily, concluding at 8:00 PM.

Since commencing regular drone delivery operations in Shenzhen in 2021, Meituan has completed over 600,000 orders. The company reports that its drone service has an average delivery time of approximately 15 minutes, a significant reduction from the nearly 30 minutes typical for traditional delivery methods, effectively doubling efficiency.

Customers can access the service through Meituan's main app or its dedicated food delivery app, Meituan Waimai. To place an order, users select a nearby designated drop-off kiosk, complete the transaction, and retrieve their items from the kiosk upon delivery.