DJI’s groundbreaking drone delivery trials on Mount Everest demonstrated the DJI FlyCart 30’s ability to transport supplies and waste in extreme conditions, potentially revolutionizing mountaineering logistics and enhancing safety for Sherpas. This innovation highlights the future potential of drone technology in high-altitude operations and environmental conservation.
5 June 2024 – DJI has successfully completed the world’s first drone delivery trials on Mount Everest in collaboration with Nepalese drone service company Airlift, video production company 8KRAW, and certified mountain guide Mingma Gyalje Sherpa. The trials, conducted in April 2024, showcased the capabilities of the DJI FlyCart 30, which transported 15kg payloads under the extreme conditions of the world’s highest peak.
Christina Zhang, Senior Corporate Strategy Director at DJI, stated, “Our team embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor to make cleanup efforts on Everest safer and more efficient. We are thrilled to share that our DJI FlyCart 30 was up to the task. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize mountaineering logistics, facilitate trash cleanup efforts, and improve safety for all involved.”
A Historic Achievement in Aviation
This milestone marks the first successful round-trip drone transportation of equipment and trash between Everest Base Camp and Camp 1, navigating the perilous Khumbu Icefall. Helicopters, though capable, are rarely used due to significant dangers and costs. DJI engineers prepared for Everest’s extreme conditions, including temperatures from -15° to 5°C, wind speeds up to 15m/s, and altitudes exceeding 6,000m ASL. Rigorous tests confirmed the FlyCart 30’s ability to handle these challenges.
Delivering Safer Mountain Operations
Traditionally, local Sherpa guides bear the burden of transporting supplies and clearing trash on Everest, often crossing the hazardous icefall over 30 times in a season. Mingma Gyalje Sherpa from Imagine Nepal noted, “We need to spend 6-8 hours each day walking through this icefall. Last year I lost three Sherpas. If we’re not lucky, if our time is not right, we lose our life there.” The FlyCart 30 can carry 15kg between camps in 12 minutes, reducing the risks Sherpas face.
Mount Everest Trash Cleanup
Each climber leaves an estimated 8kg of trash on Everest, contributing to the tonnes of waste on its slopes. DJI FlyCart 30 can transport garbage and human waste down the mountain, reducing the number of hazardous trips Sherpas must make. This innovation could significantly aid cleanup efforts on Everest.
Changing the Game: The Future of Drone Delivery
Following these successful trials, the Nepalese government contracted a local drone service company to establish drone delivery operations on Everest’s southern slope starting May 22. The FlyCart 30’s deployment in high-altitude regions highlights the importance of safety, efficiency, and environmental conservation in mountaineering.
Launched globally in January 2024, DJI FlyCart 30 is designed to meet the unique needs of various environments. It has been used for planting saplings on steep hillsides, line pulling in Japan, solar PV installation in Mexico, mountain fire rescue in Norway, and scientific research in Antarctica.
