Self-driving delivery promises to be a new word in the sale of fast food and groceries during a pandemic.
Various experts from around the world are sure that self-driving cars are in for a real boom, caused by the changes that the coronavirus pandemic has made to such a familiar activity as shopping. And this opinion is confirmed by the actions of various companies that are increasingly using courier robots. In particular, the Chinese division of the well-known fast food chain KFC has arranged the delivery of orders using very nice self-propelled electric vans manufactured by the local company Neolix.
The history of the Neolix startup began even before the pandemic, in the first half of 2019. Even then it was clear that robotic delivery had a very big future. The company's clients include well-known companies such as JD.Com, Yum and Huawei. However, despite the interest in the startup's products, only 125 vans were sold in 2019. This year, Neolix expects to sell at least 1,000 units of its products, as the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has sharply increased interest in self-propelled vehicles.
Last month it became known about the conclusion of a contract with KFC networks и Pizza Hutinterested in contactless delivery. And now, messages appeared on the Web from users who saw the first Neolix vans, decorated in a well-recognized KFC style.
The action takes place in Shanghai. It is not yet entirely clear how exactly the order is made and its payment, what actions need to be taken in order to pick up the order. But we can safely say that in the very near future, such robotic couriers will become commonplace on the streets not only in Chinese cities, but throughout the world. After all, other companies are doing similar experiments. For example, the American food giant Kroger is actively working in this direction, using electric cars Nuro R1, created by the American robotics company Nuro.
By the way, Neolix vehicles are used today in China not only for delivery. So, earlier they were used for disinfection of territories.
