Recently, Kitefly Tethered Emergency Equipment Technology (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kitefly Tethered, officially signed an Industry–Academia–Research Cooperation Agreement with the School of Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence of Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences). Together, the two parties will establish a Joint Research & Innovation Base, promoting the integration of tethered UAV technologies with artificial intelligence, and empowering the high-quality development of China’s low-altitude economy.

University–Enterprise Synergy: Co-Creating a New Blueprint for Innovation

As a national high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D and intelligent manufacturing of tethered UAV systems, Kitefly Tethered adheres to its core philosophy of “Technology-Empowered Innovation.” Leveraging academic resources from Nanjing University and Southeast University, the company continues to advance deep application of tethered UAV solutions in power grids, telecommunications, emergency response, and other sectors.

Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) is a key applied research university in Shandong Province, known for its strong research capabilities and comprehensive disciplinary ecosystem. The university excels particularly in mathematics, artificial intelligence, engineering, and related fields, and is home to numerous national and provincial research platforms supported by a distinguished faculty.

This collaboration will allow both sides to fully leverage their strengths in technology development, talent training, and industrial application. Joint efforts will focus on smart tethered UAV control systems, optimization of airborne modules, AI algorithm innovation, and accelerating the transformation of scientific achievements into industrialized results.

Joint Innovation Base: Deepening Industry–Academia–Research Integration

According to the agreement, the two parties will co-establish an Industry–Academia–Research Cooperation Base and carry out comprehensive collaboration in the following areas:

l Technology R&D & Project Collaboration:
Joint applications for national and provincial scientific projects and cooperative research on key technologies.

l Talent Training & Professional Exchange:
Establishment of internship and training bases, technical training programs, and professional certification pathways.

l Achievement Transformation & Industrial Incubation:
Promoting the application of AI and UAV technologies in emergency equipment and the low-altitude economy.

l Resource Sharing & Platform Co-Construction:
Shared access to laboratories, research equipment, and data resources to build a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

The cooperation term is set for five years, during which both parties will strictly follow confidentiality and intellectual property protocols to ensure a standardized, efficient, and sustainable partnership.

Empowering the Low-Altitude Economy: Co-Creating an Intelligent Future

As a founding member of the “Star Alliance Low-Altitude Economy Club,” Kitefly Tethered has been committed to fostering integration and circulation of low-altitude economic resources. The collaboration with Qilu University of Technology marks a deeper fusion of enterprise industrial chains with academic research chains—an important step toward building a comprehensive “industry–academia–research–application” model.

Moving forward, the two sides will leverage the joint innovation base to continuously deliver high-quality technological outcomes and cultivate specialized talent. Together, they aim to expand the application of tethered drones across smart cities, public safety, environmental monitoring, and more, injecting new momentum into China’s rapidly growing low-altitude economy.

Innovation leads the future. Collaboration creates shared success.
Kitefly Tethered and Qilu University of Technology are taking a solid step toward integrated innovation—opening a new chapter in intelligent equipment and low-altitude applications!