As a dynamic sector within the low-altitude economy, Shandong province's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry is continuously expanding its application scenarios, showcasing its versatility in transportation, emergency response, agriculture, and photovoltaics.

In Pingdu, Qingdao, UAVs are successfully delivering food. But it's not just takeout that's taking to the skies. In May 2023, four air routes were officially opened between a hospital in Pingdu and its township health centers, enabling the aerial transportation of medical supplies, including pathological specimens, medical devices, work documents, and inspection reports.

At a cooperative in Douhutun town, Dongchangfu district, Liaocheng, 42 UAVs are providing plant protection services, including fertilization and spraying, to over 800,000 mu (53,333.33 hectares) of farmland and orchards each year. Additionally, by taking on aerial hoisting work, such as installing solar panels for photovoltaic power stations, the cooperative generates annual revenue exceeding 20 million yuan ($276,299).

In recent years, UAV performances have emerged as a rapidly growing commercial application of the low-altitude economy. Laiwu district, Jinan, hosted UAV performances during National Day in 2023 and the Lantern Festival in 2024, adding a unique touch to these festive events.

The "low-altitude economy" is not only finding increasingly widespread applications in the cultural tourism sector but also in grain cultivation, where UAVs can be used to irrigate crops and spray pesticide. They are also being employed to prevent forest fires and monitor the environment.

Shandong province's UAV industry is poised to continue its upward trajectory, fueled by innovation and expanding application scenarios.