A trial programme on drone operations in Hong Kong will focus on services involving smaller devices for emergency and rescue, inspection and maintenance, delivery and surveillance – rather than light shows – as the first step in building a low-altitude economy, according to authorities.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau and Civil Aviation Department jointly said the initial phase of the Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox would centre on operations involving smaller drones, and on easing restrictions on “flying beyond visual line of sight” so autonomous devices would become legally feasible.
Launched in November, the sandbox aims to assist the government in testing airspace operations and infrastructure, while also developing policies and regulatory guidelines for the industry. Applications to be in the first batch of companies are open until December 31, with the results scheduled to be announced in the first quarter of next year.
“Experience and data gathered from the sandbox will enable the government’s informed decision-making for the formulation of appropriate infrastructure, related supporting facilities, as well as standard rules and practices for low-altitude flying activities in the long run,” the bureau and department said in their joint response to Post inquiries last Thursday.
The sandbox pilot projects would be conducted under different scenarios to test various technical and ancillary facility requirements, they explained.
Authorities earlier said they had appointed the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company as venue partners to facilitate the pilot projects while developing the low-altitude economy industrial chain.
Several companies said they would apply to join the regulatory sandbox, including food delivery giant Meituan and local drone show operator X Social Group.