In the midst of a coronavirus epidemic, JD.com deploys drones and robots in Wuhan

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JD Logistics does not intend to let the Covid-19 coronavirus undermine its business in the Wuhan area, in China, where the epicenter of the epidemic is located. The Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has been deploying autonomous drones and robots since the beginning of February to ensure the continuity of its logistics services during this difficult period. He also ensures that deliveries to health establishments are notably "Prioritized", in order to "reduce contact between humans"… And, therefore, the risks of contamination.

UP TO 70 DEGREES OF AUTOMATION

JD Logistics says it wants, through this major operation, to ensure a functioning "normal" in its warehouses and make its resources available "at the service of society". In fact, the company's premises are already automated and able to turn "24 hours a day, 7 days a week". According to the latter, online commerce is, moreover, "the safest way" to shop as the epidemic rages. While these warehouses usually process 600,000 orders per week on average, they would have prepared no less than 1,000,000 between January 24 and February 2.

The firm, which opened a first 5G logistics park at the end of 2019, touts "70 distinct degrees of automation" based on various layers of artificial intelligence – including deep learning and image recognition techniques. Its autonomous robots designed to perform last mile delivery, like its delivery drones, make it possible to compensate for the absence of humans and to maintain its activity. The technical specifications of the latter have not been communicated, but a photo published by JD Logistics proves that these are devices of its own design – we can see an operator wearing a mask remotely controlling a robot with a remote control, in a deserted street.

Already a specialist in AUTOMATED STORES

It should be noted that since 2017, three cities (Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guilin) ​​in the large bay, in the south of the country, have benefited from the proximity stores of JDX Mart, operating without any human intervention. An additional argument for society, which thus implies limiting contact between humans.

JD.com is not the only Chinese company involved in the management of the health crisis. In early February, Alibaba founder Jack Ma made a donation of 100 million yuan (about 13 million euros) in favor of research carried out in the hope of discovering a vaccine against the disease. Internationally, Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Bayer and Cargill have also made pledges. Generous outbursts that are not entirely selfless.

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