image: The rapid development and widespread application of UAVs have, to some extent, accelerated the utilization of low-altitude airspace resources. According to statistics from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in 2023, UAVs operating at altitudes below 120 meters accounted for 99% of all UAV flights, making them the primary technology for the development of W-class low-altitude airspace in the low-altitude economy. With the advancement of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and flying cars, key application scenarios of the low-altitude economy now include Urban Air Mobility (UAM), low-altitude inspections and emergency response, as well as social development and comprehensive governance.
Credit: Beijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.
Journal of Geo-information Science recently published an online article on research led by professor Xiaohan Liao, associate professor Yaohuan Huang(State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences), and researcher Xia Liu (Working Committee for UAV Applications and Regulation, China Association for Geographic Information Industry). Their study systematically reviews the role of geographic information science and technology in the development of the low-altitude economy, an emerging sector driven by UAV advancements and increasing airspace utilization demands.
As a representative of new-quality productivity, the low-altitude economy is gradually emerging as a new engine for economic growth in China. China’s low-altitude economy is projected to grow into a trillion-yuan industry by 2025, significantly impacting urban transportation, logistics, and environmental monitoring. This low-altitude economy is based on the development and utilization of low-altitude airspace resources. Geographic information science and technology are crucial in key areas of the low-altitude economy, including the refined utilization of airspace resources, the construction of low altitude flying environments, the design, construction, and operation of the new air-route infrastructure, as well as the safe and efficient operation and regulatory oversight of drones. Consequently, the geographic information industry will greatly benefit from development opportunities such as the integration and innovation of emerging scientific and technological advancements, growing market demand, policy support, industrial guidance, and industrial upgrading and transformation.
Despite these Opportunities, the study addresses the Challenges that geographic information science and technology must overcome to meet the development needs of the low-altitude economy. Top challenges include spatiotemporal dimensional expansion, 3-D map and location-based services, high-frequency & rapid data-acquisition systems, all-time and all-domain capabilities, and ubiquitous AI technologies. While the low-altitude economy offers vast potential for geographic information applications, strengthening the integration of geographic information science and technology with low-altitude economic activities will promote the field and deliver essential scientific support for the sustainable management of airspace resources.
For more details, please refer to the original article:
Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Geographic Information Science and Technology in the Era of the Low-Altitude Economy.
https://www.sciengine.com/JGIS/doi/10.12082/dqxxkx.2025.250028
（If you want to see the English version of the full text, please click on the “iFLYTEK Translation” in the article page.）
Article Title
Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Geographic Information Science and Technology in the Era of the Low-Altitude Economy
Article Publication Date
25-Jan-2025