AI-powered bikes help optimize food delivery

Delivery vehicles equipped with artificial intelligence have been launched in Wuhan, Hubei province, to improve efficiency and safety in the city's on-demand delivery system.

China's vast delivery network includes more than 10 million riders, many of whom use electric motorcycles. Road accidents, traffic violations and restricted access to some residential areas have long posed challenges for these workers.

The first batch of 100 AI-powered vehicles was deployed in 32 residential communities in Wuhan's Hanyang district, according to Hu Xuedong, secretary-general of Wuhan's on-demand delivery association.

Officials said the newly developed electric motorcycles are equipped with Beidou satellite navigation chips, enabling smart management by linking each vehicle to its rider. The vehicles feature identity recognition, automatic speed reduction, route optimization and full traceability.

Wuhan also unveiled what it says is the country's first dedicated license plate management system for delivery motorcycles.

Tang Xiaosong, a delivery rider who moved to Wuhan in April, now uses a smart electric motorcycle with the license plate "Wuhan delivery WH00001". Tang said many residential communities previously barred riders from entering with their vehicles, forcing them to rush deliveries on foot.

"Even in communities that allowed entry, we had to fill out registration forms and leave our ID cards, which wasted a lot of time," he said. Now, security guards can identify Tang immediately and record his entry and exit.

"It's very convenient, and I can deliver faster," he said. Tang estimated he can complete 20 more orders a day thanks to the smart vehicle and time saved.

The launch is part of an initiative led by Wuhan's on-demand delivery association and jointly developed by Beidou and Yadea, a leading electric motorcycle manufacturer.

The vehicles are equipped with a vehicle-road coordination system, electronic braking system and intelligent maintenance system, features that are not available on ordinary delivery motorcycles, said Chen Zhenbo, deputy director of the Hangzhou Beidou spatiotemporal research institute.

In recent years, several on-demand platforms have introduced AI systems to improve efficiency and working conditions for delivery riders. On June 24, Ele.me, a major on-demand service platform, launched its first AI assistant for delivery riders, featuring voice interaction and intelligent analysis of traffic and weather conditions to help riders reduce their workload and work more efficiently.

Meituan, another major player in the sector, requires delivery riders to wear smart helmets. The helmets feature voice interaction, embedded headphones, weather forecasts and route planning, allowing riders to keep their hands free while navigating.