https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0126/c95952-20418644.html

New smart street lights were recently installed in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. In addition to their standard road lighting functions, they are equipped with automated drone hangars, allowing drones to be remotely launched and deployed for urban inspections.

The operator, Jinan Low-Altitude Economic Development Group, plans to expand the “smart pole + automated drone hangar” system throughout the city, initially installing drones in 48 locations. The aim is to create a system that allows drones to fly to necessary locations and check the situation quickly. The plan also divides the city into roughly “five-minute reachable” areas, accelerating the initial response to inspections and confirmations.

Previous patrol inspections were largely manual, which required time to arrive at the site, and fixed cameras were unable to see certain areas.