Meituan officially launched its low-altitude flight network in the West Bund area of Shanghai on September 10. This infrastructure supports the first exclusive drone delivery route for a restaurant brand, established in partnership with McDonald's.
The network connects key locations including West Bund Dream Center, Xuhui Riverside, and the AI hub MOSS Space. Currently, nearly 20 restaurant chains participate, such as McDonald's, A-Ma Tea, and M Stand, with plans to expand to over 40 brands by the end of the year.
The delivery process utilizes the fourth-generation M-Drone 4L Winch, which uses a cable system to lower packages. The drones operate in extreme conditions, including heavy rain, moderate snow, and winds up to level 6, within a temperature range of -20 to 50 degrees Celsius.
The system features M-Port 3 smart pickup stations, which occupy 1.4 square meters and use robotic arms for automated loading. Delivery times are as fast as 10 minutes, bypassing complex road traffic and park terrain that are difficult for traditional couriers.
Safety and scheduling are managed by the M-DaaS 3 cloud system, which can detect anomalies within 100 milliseconds. The platform adjusts flight paths or triggers safety protocols in response to sudden weather changes or airspace restrictions to ensure order integrity.
