JD Group is to work with China Aviation Integrated Technology Research Institute (AVIC) on a drone inspection and test center, with an agreement signed by the two parties on Aug 27, according to local media.

The two parties will cooperate in four areas –– inspection and testing, research, engineering, and safety.

The new facility will also include a drone detection data center which is expected to provide valuable information for designing and producing new types of drone.

In addition, the two parties will promote research into drone standards, and jointly push for industry standards, national standards, and international standards. AVIC will provide JD with technical advice on airworthiness and operation of drones, assist JD in operation management and risk assessment, and build an airworthiness assurance system and drone safety simulation platform.

JD has applied for more than 100 patents in the drone industry, and has accumulated a large number of flight control technologies, including active obstacle avoidance systems, intelligence and cluster flying, as well as independently developing a variety of models.

As of the end of July, drones designed and produced by JD have been used for deliveries in domestic provinces including Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Qinghai, Hainan and Guangdong, producing a large amount of data and clocking up total flight mileage of more than 130,000 kilometers.

JD reveals its first heavy-duty drone (JDY800), June 19. The company holds all the intellectual property rights for the model. [Photo/weibo account of Liu Qiangdong, CEO of JD Group]