The FlyCart 30 is a flying robot designed to withstand Everest’s high altitudes, freezing temperatures, and strong winds. Last April, the drone flew up to a campsite on Everest’s slopes and returned carrying 15 kg (33 lb) of trash.
The hike to and from Everest’s summit can be deadly. Carrying trash down the mountain can be a safety issue for humans—but not for drones. “This is a great example of how drones can take people out of dangerous scenarios,” says Christina Harvey, an engineer who studies drones at the University of California, Davis.