A GROUP of “tireless deliverymen” were recently seen running up to 60 kilometers each day to deliver 100 to 200 packages in Shenzhen University (SZU), Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.

The “deliverymen” are JD’s intelligent unmanned delivery vehicles, jointly launched by the SZU student affairs service center and JD.com to prepare for the annual “618” mid-year shopping festival.

At present, the smart unmanned vehicles are still in trial operations. Staff with JD.com said that the unmanned vehicles are able to handle 30 to 40 percent of the total package volumes, which can help reduce deliverymen’s workload and enhance delivery efficiency.

At the same time, the autonomous delivery cars, which are disinfected every day, are contactless and can reduce cases of lost or misdelivered packages.

With the vehicles, students and teachers at SZU no longer need to pick up packages at delivery stations as the cars can send their packages directly to their dormitories’ lobbies. The service can also cut down on waiting time as users can book their own delivery or pick-up time and location.

“Before the trial operation, the car has passed more than 100,000 safety tests without accidents,” said the operator.

The car’s speed is said to be controlled within 20 kilometers per hour when running on campus. Moreover, the car will be visibly lighted at night for passers-by.

SZU’s average daily package volume in the first half of this year has reached 10,000, excluding each year’s “618” and “Double 11” shopping festivals.

(Wang Jingli)