Chinese Startup Launches Autonomous Delivery Pod

Beijing-based Neolix Technologies Co. has begun making autonomous delivery vans at its facility in Changzhou.

The 4-year-old startup, which aims to produce 1,000 of the compact models by year-end, claims to be the first company in the world to mass produce a self-driving vehicle. Initial customers include Chinese tech giants Huawei Technologies Co. and JD.Com Inc.

Neolix has accumulated 500,000 km (310,000 miles) of testing with about 100 of the robo-vans in geofenced areas near Beijing and Changzhou over the last few years. The company expects usage to be limited for the next four years to low-speed deliveries at college campuses, industrial parks and residential communities, then gradually expand to use in cities and other venues.

The 146,000 sq-ft Changzhou factory has annual capacity of 30,000 vehicles. Neolix aims to more than triple production within five years, possibly including factories outside China. The company says it is talking with potential customers in Japan, Switzerland and the U.S.

Neolix was founded by entrepreneur Yu Enyuan, who previously specialized in digital assistants and other “smart” tools for the logistics industry. A video about the new delivery vehicles can be viewed HERE.