The widespread adoption of new technologies and devices such as drones, driverless vehicles, and automated sorting systems is transforming logistics in China, improving service efficiency and quality.
China's e-commerce logistics index, which measures logistics operations within the e-commerce sector, rose to 115 points in October, an increase of 0.6 points from September, according to the data released Monday by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The sub-index tracking efficiency and fulfillment rates registered an increase of 0.1 and 0.4 points respectively from last month, marking three consecutive months of gains.
Much of this progress can be traced to the growing use of unmanned sorting and delivery technologies.
For instance, a total of 20 driverless delivery vehicles are actively in service at a logistics hub of a newly operational smart logistics park in Changzhou City of east China's Jiangsu Province.
Small yet technologically advanced, these vehicles cover a radius of five kilometers around the hub, reaching nearby parcel stations.
"These vehicles are equipped with two LiDAR sensors, 12 cameras, and have a detection range of 120 meters, making them highly smart and safe," said Feng Yu, head of the Longcheng logistics hub at the SF Express Fengtai Industrial Park in the city.
Beyond driverless vehicles, high-speed sorting systems are revolutionizing the distribution process. Crisscrossing conveyor belts can automatically direct packages by scanning delivery orders, enhancing accuracy and speed.
"We've boosted our parcel processing capacity from 3,600 items per hour on manual sorting lines to 6,300 items," said Zhang Jian, senior automation engineer at the Longcheng logistics hub. Technological advancements are also enhancing last-mile delivery. Drones, for instance, are now used to improve parcel delivery efficiency in remote regions.
In Longquan City of east China's Zhejiang Province, a new program combining drones with traditional delivery networks has been launched, significantly cutting delivery time for rural residents.
"Our existing delivery network remains in place, and with the addition of drones, delivery frequency has increased to five times per week, significantly improving the speed of rural deliveries," said Zhou Yumiao, director of Longquan's transportation development center.
Unmanned sorting, delivery boost efficiency in China's logistics sector
