After a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County, Shigatse, Tibet, Zhejiang GBI Intelligent Equipment Inc. responded immediately. The day after the disaster, two of its technicians arrived in the earthquake-stricken area with ten G3-series lighting drones. Within three minutes, the drones were airborne, providing uninterrupted illumination in the darkness, aiding rescue operations, and playing a crucial role in life-saving efforts and post-disaster reconstruction.
A journalist visited GBI's facility in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, to learn more about the company. Upon arrival, the journalist saw several firefighters leaving a meeting. "They were here to discuss low-altitude drone lighting applications," said Hu Kefei, Chairman of GBI. With low-altitude economy initiatives becoming part of the national infrastructure strategy, a trillion-dollar market is emerging. Low-altitude infrastructure acts as a bridge between traditional and future industries, integrating drones and smart aerial vehicles with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. This fusion is transforming traditional industries by introducing new levels of efficiency and competitiveness.
Hu Kefei, a Zhejiang University physics graduate, has always been an inventor. While at university, he led the physics department's student lab and even secured a national patent for a "wet diaper alarm." After working at Zhejiang Provincial Health and Epidemic Prevention Station for four years, he resigned in 1992 to enter the business world. In 2015, he shifted from remote control manufacturing to drone development. By 2018, he had successfully launched the world's first portable lighting drone system, combining LED illumination with drone technology to fill a critical gap in emergency lighting. This innovation has played a key role in major rescue operations, including the Wuhan Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals and the Turkey earthquake, earning it the title of the "brightest star in the night sky."
At the company’s facility, Zhang Peisi, Sales Manager and Captain of Zhejiang Red Cross Drone Rescue Team, explained the capabilities of GBI's lighting drones. These drones can reach an altitude of 50 meters, illuminating areas from 1,000 to 10,000 square meters. A 1,000-square-meter area requires only 0.15 kWh of electricity, making it over 80% more energy-efficient than traditional lighting solutions. The drones are powered by ground power grids, generators, or new energy vehicles, ensuring 24-hour continuous illumination. Another key advantage is ease of operation—no professional drone pilot is needed. Anyone can launch the drone by pressing a pre-set start button, and it takes just three minutes to deploy.
GBI specializes in low-altitude lighting drones, leveraging deep industry insights and innovative design principles. Focused on "lightweight miniaturization, single-operator deployment, and precise efficiency," the company has developed a series of advanced products that not only achieve technological breakthroughs but also demonstrate significant practical advantages.
Currently, GBI's lighting drones serve three primary applications:
In emergency rescue, GBI’s lighting drones have been rapidly deployed to the front lines of rescue operations in major disaster scenarios such as the Turkey and Tibet earthquakes. Their high brightness and wide coverage allow rescue teams to see every detail clearly in the dark, significantly improving efficiency. Many trapped individuals have been located and saved thanks to the illumination provided by GBI drones.
In industrial production, GBI’s drones are unlocking nighttime economic potential. In the film and television industry, traditional lighting equipment is often bulky, complex, and costly. GBI’s drones offer a low-cost, intelligent lighting solution that revolutionizes the industry. They successfully supported night scenes for large-scale productions, including the Wuhan segment of a major national event. In construction and mining, nighttime operations often suffer from insufficient lighting. GBI’s drones provide safe, reliable lighting solutions, improving worker safety, extending operational hours, and boosting productivity.
In tourism and consumer experiences, GBI’s drones enhance night tourism, provide lighting for golf courses, and ensure illumination for outdoor camping. With their ability to perform dynamic light shows, GBI drones are creating new nighttime attractions. The drone light shows have become a popular feature at scenic destinations, attracting tourists and adding economic value to local tourism industries.
Hu Kefei believes that GBI’s lighting drones uphold the principle of "technology for good," translating innovation into tangible social benefits. The company has freely provided drone support for disaster relief, standing alongside rescue teams to help save lives, embodying its strong sense of corporate social responsibility. GBI is also fostering an open technology ecosystem, empowering small businesses and developers to drive the coordinated development of the low-altitude economy.
"As global technological competition intensifies, the low-altitude economy is becoming a new battleground," Hu Kefei stated. "With continuous advancements and expanding applications, GBI’s lighting drones—this 'new species of illumination'—will play a crucial role in developing the low-altitude economy. I firmly believe that China’s low-altitude economy will experience rapid growth, making significant contributions to the nation’s modernization."
A journalist visited GBI's facility in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, to learn more about the company. Upon arrival, the journalist saw several firefighters leaving a meeting. "They were here to discuss low-altitude drone lighting applications," said Hu Kefei, Chairman of GBI. With low-altitude economy initiatives becoming part of the national infrastructure strategy, a trillion-dollar market is emerging. Low-altitude infrastructure acts as a bridge between traditional and future industries, integrating drones and smart aerial vehicles with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. This fusion is transforming traditional industries by introducing new levels of efficiency and competitiveness.
Hu Kefei, a Zhejiang University physics graduate, has always been an inventor. While at university, he led the physics department's student lab and even secured a national patent for a "wet diaper alarm." After working at Zhejiang Provincial Health and Epidemic Prevention Station for four years, he resigned in 1992 to enter the business world. In 2015, he shifted from remote control manufacturing to drone development. By 2018, he had successfully launched the world's first portable lighting drone system, combining LED illumination with drone technology to fill a critical gap in emergency lighting. This innovation has played a key role in major rescue operations, including the Wuhan Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals and the Turkey earthquake, earning it the title of the "brightest star in the night sky."
At the company’s facility, Zhang Peisi, Sales Manager and Captain of Zhejiang Red Cross Drone Rescue Team, explained the capabilities of GBI's lighting drones. These drones can reach an altitude of 50 meters, illuminating areas from 1,000 to 10,000 square meters. A 1,000-square-meter area requires only 0.15 kWh of electricity, making it over 80% more energy-efficient than traditional lighting solutions. The drones are powered by ground power grids, generators, or new energy vehicles, ensuring 24-hour continuous illumination. Another key advantage is ease of operation—no professional drone pilot is needed. Anyone can launch the drone by pressing a pre-set start button, and it takes just three minutes to deploy.
GBI specializes in low-altitude lighting drones, leveraging deep industry insights and innovative design principles. Focused on "lightweight miniaturization, single-operator deployment, and precise efficiency," the company has developed a series of advanced products that not only achieve technological breakthroughs but also demonstrate significant practical advantages.
Currently, GBI's lighting drones serve three primary applications:
In emergency rescue, GBI’s lighting drones have been rapidly deployed to the front lines of rescue operations in major disaster scenarios such as the Turkey and Tibet earthquakes. Their high brightness and wide coverage allow rescue teams to see every detail clearly in the dark, significantly improving efficiency. Many trapped individuals have been located and saved thanks to the illumination provided by GBI drones.
In industrial production, GBI’s drones are unlocking nighttime economic potential. In the film and television industry, traditional lighting equipment is often bulky, complex, and costly. GBI’s drones offer a low-cost, intelligent lighting solution that revolutionizes the industry. They successfully supported night scenes for large-scale productions, including the Wuhan segment of a major national event. In construction and mining, nighttime operations often suffer from insufficient lighting. GBI’s drones provide safe, reliable lighting solutions, improving worker safety, extending operational hours, and boosting productivity.
In tourism and consumer experiences, GBI’s drones enhance night tourism, provide lighting for golf courses, and ensure illumination for outdoor camping. With their ability to perform dynamic light shows, GBI drones are creating new nighttime attractions. The drone light shows have become a popular feature at scenic destinations, attracting tourists and adding economic value to local tourism industries.
Hu Kefei believes that GBI’s lighting drones uphold the principle of "technology for good," translating innovation into tangible social benefits. The company has freely provided drone support for disaster relief, standing alongside rescue teams to help save lives, embodying its strong sense of corporate social responsibility. GBI is also fostering an open technology ecosystem, empowering small businesses and developers to drive the coordinated development of the low-altitude economy.
"As global technological competition intensifies, the low-altitude economy is becoming a new battleground," Hu Kefei stated. "With continuous advancements and expanding applications, GBI’s lighting drones—this 'new species of illumination'—will play a crucial role in developing the low-altitude economy. I firmly believe that China’s low-altitude economy will experience rapid growth, making significant contributions to the nation’s modernization."
