High-accuracy positioning is an important factor for drone technology. (Photo : Getty Images)

Qianxun Spatial Intelligence Inc., a firm that provides location and data analysis services using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, has announced that it is teaming up with drone maker DJI Innovation Technology Co., China Daily reported.




The strategic partnership will aid in promoting the application of the BeiDou navigation system to the lucrative drone industry.



Both parties consider BeiDou's "highly accurate positioning service" as a major advantage, especially for their agricultural models (i.e., drones used to spray pesticides).



According to DJI vice-president Cao Nan, "There is still a lot of room for the two sides to cooperate in more fields, including inspection, public safety and mapping."



First established in 2015, Qianxun is a venture jointly created by the China North Industries Group Corp., the country's biggest defense equipment manufacturer, and e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to help develop the BeiDou navigation system.



Qianxun CEO Chen Jinpei shared that the firm will continue advancing the establishment of the BeiDou ground base enhancement network.



The company will also carry on with its mission of providing "commercial high-accuracy location and data analysis service in the fields of automobiles, bike sharing, mobile phones and drones," China Daily said.



On the other hand, DJI, which claims to hold 70 percent of the worldwide consumer market for drones, said that it will focus on making industry-level drones.



In November last year, DJI unveiled the MG-1S, an upgraded agricultural drone armed with advanced radar, sensors and flight control system.



For Pan Xuefei, a senior analyst at International Data Corp., said that industry-level drones have a higher demand for technologies, and in turn, the applications in industries encourage drone manufacturers to improve their technological levels.



Pan further pointed out that drones heavily rely on high-accuracy positioning, citing the broad prospects for their application.

