3 6 Ke·2026-01-06 08:37Core Insights - The article discusses Meituan's decision to downplay its drone business during a scheduled public event, which was intended to showcase its achievements in the low-altitude economy sector [1][2][5]. Group 1: Business Performance - Meituan's drone operations have shown promising results, with stable flight routes established in multiple cities and a cumulative commercial order count reaching hundreds of thousands [4][9]. - As of late 2025, Meituan's self-developed fourth-generation drone has received national low-altitude logistics operation permits, enabling commercial deliveries in major cities [9]. - By the end of September 2025, Meituan's drone delivery orders exceeded 670,000, surpassing those of Google's Wing Aviation, indicating a daily average increase of nearly 800 orders [9]. Group 2: Strategic Positioning - Meituan's drone business is not an independent service but is deeply integrated into its instant retail fulfillment network, focusing on scenarios where drones are more suitable than human delivery [6][12]. - The company is cautious about publicizing its drone capabilities to avoid potential backlash regarding job displacement, as the current social context is sensitive to technology replacing human labor [6][15]. - Meituan's choice to limit external communication reflects a strategy to manage expectations and focus discussions on cost structures and operational efficiency rather than on grand narratives [7][16]. Group 3: Challenges and Limitations - Despite the operational successes, Meituan's drone delivery still faces significant limitations, such as reliance on policy airspace and point-to-point delivery, lacking network effects [10][14]. - The current drone delivery system requires human intervention for package pickup and delivery to designated drop-off points, complicating the process in densely populated areas [10][14]. - The company has not disclosed specific revenue or cost structures for its drone business in recent financial reports, indicating a lack of clarity regarding its economic impact [13][14].