How to implement unmanned last-mile delivery? Insights from deployments at Jiuzhaigou and Du Fu Thatched Cottage Scenic Area in Gansu.

The real challenge of logistics "last mile" seldom lies in distance, but in insufficient manpower coverage, forced route detours and unstable delivery timeliness.

specially in large parks, mountainous regions and scenic spots, conventional vehicles and manual delivery are constrained by terrain, road conditions and service ranges. Enabling supplies to reach destinations faster and more reliably across complicated terrain has become an imperative for upgrading last-mile logistics.

The challenges of last-mile delivery go beyond just the "last mile" itself.

In venues including industrial parks, mountainous areas and scenic sites, traditional delivery is plagued by circuitous routes, high labor costs and limited delivery frequency. Particularly with scattered drop-off points, rough road conditions or surging on-demand orders, reliance solely on manpower and ground vehicles undermines efficiency and reliability.

The value of drone delivery is not merely replacing a single delivery link. Instead, it supplements conventional ground logistics networks via aerial routes, offering an innovative solution for short-distance, high-frequency last-mile distribution in complex areas.

From Single Drone to a Complete Delivery System

To meet demands for last-mile delivery, Skydroid presents the Sky-Express Smart Logistics System.

Core Delivery Capabilities: The MX980 logistics drone within this system features a maximum payload of 10 kg, a maximum delivery radius of 10 km, and approximately 25 minutes of flight endurance under full load. It is equipped with a ±5 cm precision landing module, dual-link communication covering 2.4G/5.8G and 4G, as well as laser obstacle avoidance.

The smart landing pad supports automatic takeoff, landing and docking, fitted with an independent storage box and features an IP55 protection rating.

Covering flight platforms, takeoff & landing nodes, and mission scheduling, this systematic capability enables drones to do far more than simply fly. They can be fully integrated into formal delivery workflows, supporting short-haul high-frequency delivery needs including urban material transport, express parcels and emergency supplies.

Three Typical Scenarios: How Last-Mile Delivery Is Implemented

Park Delivery | Fixed-route delivery with multiple stops and high frequency

Designed for factories, industrial parks and similar sites, fixed flight routes can be planned according to actual delivery points to enable more efficient material transfer between different zones.

Mountain Delivery | Traverse complex terrain and cut detour distances

For winding mountain roads inaccessible to ground vehicles, aerial routes bypass rugged landscapes to accelerate material arrival, offering a new delivery solution for remote areas.

Scenic Area Delivery | Link supply at foothills with on-demand needs on mountain tops

Within scenic spots, drone delivery meets tourists’ instant consumption demands and mountain replenishment requirements. It realizes shipments from the foot of the mountain to receiving points uphill and mitigates efficiency losses caused by complicated terrain.

Real Case: Efficiently Complete the End-to-End Delivery Loop from Foothills to Mountain Tops

The Sky-Express Smart Logistics System by Skydroid has been deployed in real operational scenarios. It runs on a regular basis at multiple locations including Du Fu Thatched Cottage Scenic Area in Cheng County and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.

After tourists scan the code to place orders in the mountain rear sightseeing zone, vendors at the foot of the mountain load beverages onto the MX980 drone. The drone takes off autonomously, crosses the forest canopy and valleys, and lands on the mountain-top platform within minutes to accomplish efficient aerial delivery.