DJI introduces its inaugural VTOL fixed-wing cargo drone, the EV50, claiming it has established an altitude record on Everest.

      On Thursday, DJI introduced the DJI EV50, its inaugural vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing cargo drone, crafted for long-distance regional transportation. The firm announced that during a scientific expedition at Mount Everest earlier this year, the drone achieved an operational altitude of 8,861 meters, surpassing the mountain’s peak by 12 meters and setting a new record for high-altitude VTOL drone operations.

      Throughout the 12-day expedition, the EV50 conducted 32 flights, including 12 missions that involved carrying atmospheric monitoring instruments. The drone took off from Everest Base Camp at 5,200 meters and ascended as much as 3,730 meters in a single flight to gather atmospheric data at the specified observation height. According to Ye Chunxiang, a professor at Peking University’s College of Environmental Science and Engineering and the lead researcher for the expedition, maintaining continuous atmospheric observations above 8,000 meters has historically faced technical difficulties due to the constraints of manned missions, weather balloons, fuel-powered fixed-wing aircraft, and multirotor drones. Ye noted that the all-electric propulsion system of the EV50 allowed researchers to study glacier winds and gather atmospheric data that could aid in research on climate change and the atmospheric environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

      The EV50 is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system comprising eight vertical-lift rotors and three forward propulsion motors, enabling it to take off and land vertically without a runway. The drone has a maximum payload capacity of 50 kilograms, a maximum range of 150 kilometers when not carrying a load, a top speed of 160 km/h, and a cargo compartment that can hold 270 liters. Additionally, the EV50 includes dual thermal management systems, an anti-icing pitot tube, four independent batteries, and an emergency parachute to enhance operational reliability. DJI mentioned that the drone is anticipated to be utilized in various applications, including emergency response, logistics in remote regions, and scientific research.

      This launch builds upon DJI’s previous initiatives in aerial logistics. In 2024, the company’s FlyCart 30 conducted what DJI referred to as the world’s first drone delivery trials on Mount Everest, transporting oxygen cylinders and supplies between Everest Base Camp and Camp 1, while also bringing waste back down the mountain. In contrast to the multirotor FlyCart series, the EV50 features a fixed-wing VTOL design that is tailored for extended-range regional cargo transport. This release broadens DJI’s range of industrial drones designed for demanding environments.

      Jessie Wu is a technology journalist based in Shanghai, specializing in consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming sector for TechNode. You can reach her at jessie.wu@technode.com.