China has revolutionised the use of drones like no other country. Drones are no longer just play toys but key players in the technology of the future. Recently, the 9th Drone World Congress 2025 took place at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, in Shenzhen, China. Showcased were drones that can fly, swim and think for themselves. Science fiction would be surprised by the intelligent robots exhibited.
The night drone show turned the sky above Shenzhen into a living digital painting. Thousands of glowing drones synchronously soared into the air, drawing giant three-dimensional figures, high-tech symbols, and animated scenes in the darkness.
The drone world congress is the largest event in the industry of drones, autonomous systems and low-altitude economy technologies. Representatives from more than 100 countries, and over 800 companies presented more than 5,000 of the latest developments.
The exhibition was divided into thematic zones. The first zone was fully dedicated to industrial drones, drones for the agricultural sector, logistics, firefighting and even police work. Showcased were drones capable of automatically detecting the fire and coordinating the work of ground services. Fully autonomous cargo delivery systems, ready for operation in urban conditions, were also exhibited.
In the second zone were consumer drones. You could see racing models filming platforms with stabilization systems as well as entertainment devices controlled via smartphone. Some of these models were so light and compact that they could be carried in a pocket and launched right from the palm of your hand.
The third zone demonstrated advanced vertical take-off and landing aircraft. There were prototypes of urban air cabs and high-speed rescue drones, air robots, and ground robots and even underwater robots. There were flying motorcycles, amphibians and autonomous research platforms. Some of the vehicles are already undergoing certification and may start operating in the coming years.
Given special attention was artificial intelligence. Almost all modern drones are now equipped with neural networks that analyse the environment, avoid obstacles, and make autonomous decisions.
Also presented were unique micro drones with flapping wings created on the principle of bird flight. These machines are designed for reconnaissance in closed spaces and in conditions where the use of conventional propeller drones is impossible.
The fourth zone of the exhibition was dedicated to robots. Here, models for security, logistics, cleaning as well as robot assistance for emergency services were demonstrated. Some of them could move over rough terrain, recognize victims, and transmit coordinates to rescuers. Firefighting robots capable of getting into the fire zone and suppressing the fire with the help of modular extinguishing systems were also shown. Anti-drone technologies were no less important. Visitors were presented with mobile platforms with radio frequency, suppressors, laser units and even interceptors capable of shooting down hostile drones in the air. These solutions are increasingly being integrated into military and civilian security systems. Artificial intelligence-based systems are actively used, which categorize threats and determine the order of response.
Engineers, scientists, military experts and startup entrepreneurs discussed the issues of airspace regulation, flight safety, integration of artificial intelligence into unmanned platforms and international cooperation in the field of autonomous technologies.
The World Congress in Shenzhen once again confirmed that the future has already arrived. Drones are becoming an integral part of modern life. They fly, drive, swim, rescue, protect and entertain. This means that a truly new era of technology awaits us where autonomy and intelligence become the main driver of progress.
The Chinese firm, Xpeng Motors, has rapidly moved from an idea to execution, unveiling several pioneering airborne vehicles that may redefine travel in the near future. Xpeng is setting up a high-tech production plant in Guangzhou with a projected annual output of 10,000 units. A fully functional version of the flying car is anticipated to be revealed at the beginning of next year.
This bold venture places Xpeng Motors at the forefront of the swiftly advancing personal air mobility sector. Another groundbreaking innovation from Xpeng is the XPeng X2, a two-seater vertical take-off and landing electric aircraft, tailored for urban environments. It delivers an eco-conscious and efficient aerial mobility alternative. The XPeng X2 can soar to a peak altitude of 1,000m and reach speeds of 130 km/hr. It is designed to operate for approximately 35 minutes on a single charge. The vehicle includes an autonomous navigation system, allowing it to adhere to designated flight routes, while considering altitude, velocity and duration.
In October, the XPeng X2 successfully carried out its inaugural public flight in Dubai, exhibiting its abilities in actual conditions. This event marked a crucial step forward in urban air mobility, proving its potential for integration into future transportation networks.
China is actively developing the so-called low-altitude economy in which drones play a key role. According to forecasts by the beginning of the next decade, the total volume of this industry in China could reach between 2 and 3 trillion yuan. The city of Shenzhen is already a technology center with more than 1,730 companies registered to develop and manufacture drones. The total volume of production in this area is approaching 96 billion yuan. The drone World Congress 2025 clearly showed that the era of drone technology has already arrived, with drones penetrating all spheres of life.
The writer is a senior research fellow at the Development Watch Center.
