Chinese city uses robots to replace human deliveryman amid epidemic

Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-16 14:25:00|Editor: huaxia

Photo taken on Feb. 10 shows a robot delivers packages for residents in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo provided to Xinhua)

Many residential communities in Nanjing have taken the toughest measures including not allowing the entry of deliverymen, so the robots, after frequent disinfection, are put into use to complete final door-to-door delivery after deliveryman arrive at the neighborhoods.

NANJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Watch out! A cute, swift robot is coming to your doorstep with all your packages.

Launched by a leading Chinese retail company Suning.com, the delivery robots, replacing human deliveryman, have been employed in the city of Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province amid the coronavirus virus outbreak.

Many residential communities in Nanjing have taken the toughest measures including not allowing the entry of deliverymen, so the robots, after frequent disinfection, are put into use to complete final door-to-door delivery after deliveryman arrive at the neighborhoods.

According to Suning, the 1.25-meter-tall robot has a maximum load capacity of 145 liters and can work for up to ten hours. It can map out delivery routes, avoid obstacles, take elevators and return to the charge when the battery is low, with a positioning accuracy of fewer than 50 millimeters.

Using technologies including artificial intelligence and big data, the robot is easy to control and will be disinfected after each delivery, the company said.

"I had never expected robot delivery. It makes delivery more convenient and benefit residents who are staying home and choosing online shopping during the epidemic," said Li Wei, a property manager in Nanjing.

KEY WORDS:
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011103261387884711