Underground autonomous delivery system for Xiongan

A magnetic-suspension delivery loop is in the works in Xiongan
The autonomous system will be constructed in the next two to three years

An intelligent delivery system that connects logistic centres, supermarkets, warehouses and industrial parks is to be built underground in Hebei Province, north of China.

The system will make use of an automatic loop that magnetically suspended capsule cars will travel along. JD Logistics is behind this intelligent architecture which aims to increase the efficiency of Chinese cities.

The smart system was recently showcased at the Global Smart Logistics Summit in the eastern province of China, Zhejiang.

President Xi Jinping in 2017 said he wanted to convert Xiongan into a green city bustling with innovation. Intelligent transport and logistics such as this have been part of the plan for the city right from the start, as it is easier to build underground delivery systems in newer cities. In more developed cities, the existing infrastructure will need to be incorporated into the rollout which is more difficult.

The capsule cars will deliver goods to customers completely autonomously. This will significantly improve supply chain efficiency and over time make up for the initial high capital costs of implementing such a system.

The project, commissioned by the Chinese government, is in its testing phase.