Chinese Drone Maker DJI Completes World's First Drone Delivery Test On Mount Everest

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Chinese drone maker, DJI, has completed the world’s first drone delivery test on the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest.

In a statement, DJI said it teamed up with Nepalese drone service company Airlift, video production company 8KRAW, and Nepalese certified mountain guide Mingma Gyalje Sherpa to complete the test in April.

During the test, a DJI FlyCart 30 was used to carry three oxygen bottles and 1.5 kilogramme (kg) of supplies, flown from Everest Base Camp (at an altitude of 5,364 metres) to Camp 1 (at about 6,000 metres) of the world's highest peak.

On the return trip, trash was carried back down, read the statement.

“For the first time, drones have successfully completed the round-trip transportation of equipment and trash between Everest Base Camp and Camp 1.

“These camps are separated by the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most perilous stages of the ascent. While helicopters can theoretically make the same journey, they are rarely used due to the significant dangers and costs,” read the statement.

Traditionally, the responsibility of transporting supplies and clearing trash on Everest has fallen on the shoulders of local sherpa guides who may need to cross the icefall over 30 times in a season to transport supplies, such as oxygen bottles, gas canisters, tents, food and ropes.

DJI said an unmodified drone can carry 15 kg of supplies between camps in 12 minutes for a round trip, day or night.

“DJI's delivery drones aim to ease the burden of Sherpas, who risk their lives navigating the treacherous Khumbu Icefall,” it said.

Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, an Imagine Nepal mountain guide, said the local sherpa guides spend six to eight hours each day walking through the icefall to transport supplies.

"Last year, I lost three Sherpas. If we're not lucky, if our time is not right, we lose our life there,” he said.

Following the successful trials, the Nepalese government contracted a local drone company to establish drone delivery operations on the southern slope of Everest starting May 22.

Meanwhile, DJI senior corporate strategy director Christina Zhang said from the end of April, the team had embarked on a groundbreaking endeavour to help make clean-up efforts on Everest safer and more efficient.

"We are thrilled to share that our DJI FlyCart 30 was up to the task. The ability to safely transport equipment, supplies and waste by drone has the potential to revolutionise Everest mountaineering logistics, facilitate trash clean-up efforts, and improve safety for all involved,” she said.

-- BERNAMA