HAIKOU /China/, 14 November. /TASS/. ZTO Express, a Chinese logistics company, has introduced a self-driving truck to deliver orders in the city of Qionghai in the east of Hainan Island, Hainan Daily reported.
According to the newspaper, the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. It can deliver about 1,000 parcels and cover about 180 kilometers in a single trip. The truck has no driver's cabin, stops automatically at red traffic lights and gives way to pedestrians.
This driverless delivery service has been successfully tested on many difficult road sections. It is equipped with advanced sensors and high-resolution video surveillance cameras. The truck automatically avoids obstacles and changes lanes.
This new technology is expected to become more widespread over time. It can reduce the workload of the logistics company's employees and increase the efficiency of deliveries in suburban and rural areas. Three more such unmanned trucks will arrive in the city next week.
"The introduction of driverless vehicles marks the beginning of a new intelligent era for Qionghai's courier industry," said Zhang Zhi, Director of the Eastern Postal Administration of Hainan Province. "We will promote the introduction of such trucks according to the actual situation."