Aug 24, 2026|
JD.com Unveils Robotics Strategy at World Robot Conference
JD.com unveiled its robotics strategy at the 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC 2026), outlining plans to commit RMB 10 billion in resources to the sector by 2028 and accelerate the deployment of robots across homes, businesses and public services.
JD.com’s strategy focuses on supply chain, lifecycle services and technology. Leveraging its retail, logistics, healthcare, industrial and service businesses, the company aims to help robotics companies move more quickly from product development to large-scale commercial deployment.
Held in Beijing from 19 to 23 August, WRC 2026 brings together companies, researchers and industry experts from around the world. At WRC 2026, JD.com has created a 600-square-metre immersive exhibition space with robotic brands and partners.
Supporting Robotics Growth Through Supply Chain Capabilities
JD.com plans to invest RMB 10 billion in resources to the robotics sector by 2028. The company aims to help 100 robotics brands each generate more than RMB 1 billion in sales, bringing consumer robots to households in China and worldwide.
JD.com’s first-party retail business already joined by more than 200 robotics brands, as well as a wide range of manufacturers of core robot components, serving individual and household consumers.
Building Lifecycle Services
JD.com expects to establish robotics after-sales service capabilities covering more than 100 countries and support the creation of more than 100,000 jobs for robotics service engineers, over the next five years.
The company also plans to establish 80 RoboBase facilities that offers an integrated service platform covering the entire robotics lifecycle. Services will include product display and delivery, repair and maintenance, research and design, pilot assembly, data collection, manufacturing and product upgrades, aiming to help robotics companies manage the servicing and maintenance of products at scale, while giving customers access to more reliable after-sales support.
Accelerating Real-World Deployment
JD.com’s JoyInside embodied intelligence platform is developing an “AI Home” ecosystem that empower smart devices with AI capabilities. By the end of 2026, more than 10 million devices and robots are expected to be connected to the ecosystem.
The company’s cloud business, JD Cloud, also plans to collect more than 10 million hours of high quality training data needed by robotics over the next two years, leveraging the company’s real-world scenarios across commercial operations such as retail, logistics, healthcare, services and more.
These capabilities are intended to help robots move beyond laboratories and operate reliably in real-world environments, supporting JD.com’s ambition to become the World’s Largest Operational Platform for the Physical World.
Wide Applications of Robots in Operations
Robots are already being deployed across a variety of JD.com operations. Applications include customer assistance, shelf replenishment and coffee preparation in JD MALL stores; warehousing, goods handling, automated sorting and autonomous delivery in logistics; and fault diagnosis, battery replacement, equipment maintenance and recycling in robotics servicing. Robots are also being tested in healthcare services, including automated packing in pharmacies and assisted-living services for older people.
JD.com is also working with more than 20 robotics brands on standardised battery products, covering categories including embodied intelligence robots and wheeled and legged robots. By setting common specifications for battery dimensions, interfaces, communication protocols and safety requirements, the company will work with robotics partners to improve battery safety while reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency.
Aug 19, 2026|
When Shenzhen Sleeps, Autonomous Delivery Keeps Movin
It’s 10 p.m. in Shenzhen’s Pingshan district, an autonomous delivery vehicle from JINGDONG Logistics finishes loading and pulls quietly out of the station. Its cargo includes fresh food, rice, flour, cooking oil and other everyday essentials bound for Longgang district.
This is not a laboratory trial or a glimpse of some future phenomenon. This is the ‘here and now’, part of the city’s nightly logistics operations.
In April, Shenzhen opened overnight cross-district routes for purpose-built autonomous vehicles between 10 pm. and 6 am. The first two routes cover more than 50 kilometres, connecting multiple sites across Pingshan and Longgang.
JINGDONG Logistics was among the first companies authorised to operate these services. It has since deployed nearly 100 autonomous vehicles across Shenzhen, serving 22 delivery stations through 121 overnight routes.
The autonomous delivery vehicle, LangzuTech Mini Van, uses a multi-sensor perception system to identify road conditions and obstacles accurately, even in low-light environments. With a range of up to 170 kilometres while fully loaded, it can support different transport scenarios and operate around the clock.
The real innovation lies in how the vehicles are used. During the day, they handle last-mile deliveries. At night, the same vehicles transport goods between logistics facilities and replenish local fulfilment hubs. This “daytime delivery, overnight replenishment” model keeps each vehicle productive for longer while making use of quieter roads.
According to Zhang Yi, who manages JINGDONG Logistics’ Pengda local fulfilment hub in Longgang, the model has increased the average daily operating time of each vehicle from around 12 hours to 24 hours. Daily trips have risen from three to five, reducing operating costs per vehicle by approximately 20% and improving use capacity by 66%.
Overnight operations also benefit from avoiding much of Shenzhen’s daytime congestion and traffic restrictions. This improves transport efficiency and allows employees to focus on service, exceptional handling and other tasks where human judgement matters most.
JINGDONG Logistics was one of China’s earliest logistics companies to explore autonomous delivery. The LangzuTech Mini Van has since evolved into its sixth-generation Plus model, with several thousand vehicles scheduled for delivery this year.
Lower-Tier Cities, Quality and Omnichannel Innovation Drive Record-breaking Singles Day for JD.com
