Anji County outside Shanghai, China, has completed Phase 2 of its autonomous drone network expansion. The project added 19 A2Z AirDock stations, bringing the total to 34 docking stations across 965 square miles.
The network supports multiple drone fleets conducting interoperable missions throughout the region.
From 8 Docks to 34: Rapid Growth After Successful Trial
The expansion builds on a successful 2024 pilot program. The Anji Bureau of Water Resources initially deployed eight elevated AirDocks to automate routine waterway monitoring. Two A2Z Longtail Patrol drones hopped between charging stations, conducting nonstop autonomous patrols across 23 miles of contiguous waterways.
The results were dramatic. Traditional ground patrols took several days and missed hard-to-reach areas. The autonomous drone system reduced inspection time to just 1.5 hours.
“The initial phase of our AirDock network was transformative for our monitoring program,” said ChongShan Wan, Director of the Anji Bureau of Water Resources. “We realized significant savings in manpower and resources by conducting this monitoring from the air, so the decision to expand the project and reach beyond the urban center was an investment we had proven to be valuable.”
Early success prompted rapid expansion. The network quickly grew to 15 test locations to meet stakeholder demand before the formal Phase 2 buildout.
Shared Autonomous Drone Infrastructure Reduces Costs
The autonomous drone network now serves four governmental departments simultaneously. Each department shares the infrastructure, distributing capital costs across multiple budgets and improving project feasibility. New mission capabilities include highway inspection and search and rescue operations. Drones equipped with upgraded high-resolution and infrared cameras detect roadway cracks and debris from altitude. Other Longtail aircraft conduct repeatable search and rescue missions using infrared sensors.
The elevated AirDock design has a familiar, streetlight-like feel. In remote wooded locations, the elevated structures enable automatic charging and payload operations above tree level. Installation crews deployed up to three AirDocks per day during construction.
AI Detection Enhances Autonomous Drone Monitoring
A2Z engineers upgraded the Longtail Patrol’s onboard cameras to meet the precision requirements for roadway inspection. The system now performs AI-powered detection in real-time aboard the autonomous drone. Cloud-based AI comparison systems analyze waterway conditions. The technology identifies new algae blooms or pollutant indicators, automatically comparing current data against existing databases. The system records specific locations of potentially problematic sites and issues alerts to water inspectors for follow-up treatment.
“This process has greatly improved the efficiency of the water resource teams, allowing them to refocus their time on more urgent needs,” according to project documentation.
Local Restaurants Leverage Autonomous Drone Network for Delivery
During government downtime, the autonomous drone network generates revenue for the county. Local restaurants use Longtail Cargo variants equipped with integrated commercial drone winches for last-mile food deliveries to area eco-resorts. Hotel guests order food through an app. Restaurant staff bring prepared orders to the closest AirDock. When the Longtail lands on the elevated platform, it lowers its winch to ground level. Staff load the food onto the delivery hook without requiring specialized training.
At the destination, the autonomous drone safely delivers orders from altitude. It automatically releases the payload as the winch lowers to the hotel or resort. The elevated AirDock design keeps spinning propellers far from ground personnel during loading and unloading operations.The expansion has enabled even more local restaurants and cafes to offer autonomous drone delivery across the 965-square-mile service area.
More information about A2Z is available from their website.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.