Abstract:

[Significance] The low-altitude economy in orchards represents a key emerging direction in the integrated development of new-quality productive forces in agriculture. As a burgeoning industry driving the high-quality development of the fruit sector, it relies on the integration of advanced equipment manufacturing, the application of smart agriculture technologies and the expansion of consumer-centric ecosystems. These elements contribute to building a full-cycle industrial chain encompassing orchard production, management and services. This fosters the coordinated development of the entire low-altitude value chain and supports the formation of a closed-loop industrial ecosystem. This paper systematically reviews the key technological pathways and development trends of the orchard low-altitude economy across three dimensions: upstream equipment manufacturing, midstream operational processes and downstream service systems. The aim is to provide strategic reference for technological innovation and industrial planning in related fields. [Progress] In the upstream segment, research and industrial development are increasingly focused on lightweight and multifunctional aerial platforms tailored to the complex terrain of mountainous orchards. By utilizing carbon fiber composites, high energy-density batteries and hybrid power systems, these platforms achieve significant reductions in weight and improvements in flight endurance. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) computing chips, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral sensors equips drones with advanced capabilities for precise fruit tree recognition, obstacle avoidance in complex landscapes and multimodal environmental perception. With centimeter-level real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and multi-sensor fusion flight control algorithms, operational safety and autonomy have been greatly enhanced. Furthermore, low-altitude infrastructure, such as distributed takeoff and landing points and mobile battery-swapping stations, based on integrated 5G-Advanced and BeiDou navigation communication systems, is being systematically deployed. This provides strong support for continuous unmanned operations in hilly and mountainous orchards. The midstream segment, encompassing the pre-production, in-production and post-production stages, serves as the core scenario for value realization in the low-altitude economy. In the pre-production stage, high-resolution remote sensing imagery, combined with machine learning models such as extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and convolutional neural networks, enables detailed diagnostics of soil nutrients, micro-topography and vegetation cover. These insights support the precise planning of digital orchards. During the in-production stage, monitoring models based on indices such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) facilitate real-time assessment of tree vigor and early detection of pests and diseases, enhancing the management of plant health and growth conditions. Intelligent systems that integrate target recognition, path optimization and electric atomizing nozzles allow for precise, demand-driven application of pesticides and fertilizers, thereby improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, collaborative multi-UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) operations and ground-aerial collaboration, optimized through genetic algorithms and digital twin models, further enhance task scheduling, flight path planning and energy utilization. In the post-production stage, drones equipped with robotic arms or vacuum suction grippers, coupled with thermal imaging, are increasingly effective in fruit identification and targeted harvesting, achieving higher levels of automation and reliability. At the same time, low-altitude logistics networks, supported by autonomous navigation and multi-sensor obstacle avoidance technologies, are addressing the last-mile challenges in cold-chain transportation. This significantly shortens the time window from field to sorting center, improving overall supply chain efficiency. At the downstream service level, the orchard low-altitude economy has evolved beyond single-equipment sales into a diversified service ecosystem. This emerging model centers on pilot training, drone insurance, equipment leasing and the integration of orchard tourism, forming a new type of business landscape. On one hand, standardized pilot training programs and operational quality evaluation systems have enhanced both talent development and safety assurance. On the other hand, risk control models developed by insurers based on operational data, along with "rent-to-own" financing schemes, have effectively lowered entry barriers for farmers. Moreover, the rise of integrated low-altitude agri-tourism models is steadily boosting the brand value of fruit products and generating new income streams through cultural and tourism-related activities. [Conclusions and Prospects] As a vital carrier of new-quality productive forces in agriculture, the orchard low-altitude economy has established a comprehensive industrial chain encompassing equipment manufacturing, operational systems and service platforms. This integrated structure is driving the transformation of orchard management toward greater intelligence, precision and sustainability. Despite current challenges such as limited equipment endurance and underdeveloped service systems, the sector is expected to achieve continuous breakthroughs through the development of high-payload aerial platforms, the integration of data-driven operational systems, the construction of diversified service ecosystems, and the refinement of relevant policies and standards. With the gradual opening of low-altitude airspace and the rapid iteration of core technologies, the orchard low-altitude economy is poised to become a key driver of agricultural modernization and rural revitalization.

Key words: orchard, low-altitude economy, low-altitude flying vehicle, UAV, low-altitude industry chain, low-altitude technology