Zerotech aims to fly high with drones

Zerotech (Beijing) Intelligence Technology Co Ltd is shifting its focus from consumer drones to industrial drones used in mapping, security, and power line and pipeline inspections, said the company’s founder and CEO Yang Jianjun.

Zerotech is also speeding up its expansion in overseas markets, he said. The company’s drones have been used in security patrols at railway stations and highways in 13 cities in Guangdong province during this year’s Spring Festival travel rush, and in inspecting the petroleum pipeline of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province.

“We have been adjusting our strategy since the first half of 2017, and adopted a differentiated strategy as DJI almost has a monopoly on the consumer drone market that has been experiencing a slow growth rate over the last two years,” Yang said.

“The industrial drone market has enormous growth potential, but its threshold is relatively high. Restricted by laws and regulations, the drones haven’t been given their full play in many fields, such as in catching criminals and in patrolling.”

Founded in 2007, Beijing-based Zerotech has been one of the pioneers of Chinese drones. The company used to focus on creating and manufacturing professional unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, which are used in aerial photography, agriculture, and security operations.

It has deepened its efforts in developing products for the consumer market. Partnering closely with international chip maker Qualcomm Inc, Zerotech launched pocket-size selfie drone Dobby in 2016, enabling consumers to enjoy pocket-size tech that enables gadgets to fly in a fun and easy way. However, the company has since suspended its consumer drone business.

During the Spring Festival Gala in 2018, 300 Zerotech light-equipped, air-borne drones “danced” in synchronized fashion as part of a performance, arranging themselves into a three-dimensional shape of a dolphin.