TECH – In a world-first initiative, the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen has launched a fleet of 41 autonomous delivery robots onto its subway network to resupply over 100 7‑Eleven convenience stores inside metro stations. The pilot project, developed by VX Logistics—a subsidiary of property developer Vanke (part-owned by Shenzhen Metro)—marks a significant expansion of robotics into public space, beyond their usual factory roles.
Standing about one metre tall and resembling small, boxy penguins on wheels, these robots glide onto trains during off-peak hours, wait for passengers to exit, then board the next train themselves. Once they disembark at stations housing 7‑Eleven outlets, they autonomously take elevators to reach street level and navigate directly to store entrances, where staff unlock their cargo bays, retrieve items—often beverages or cartons of tea—and prepare them for shelves.
The robots are equipped with advanced panoramic LiDAR sensors similar to self-driving cars, enabling navigation through crowds, platform gaps, and subway doors. Behind the scenes, an AI-based logistics system calculates optimal delivery routes based on real-time data on train schedules, station congestion, and payload needs.
Li Yanyan, a 7‑Eleven store manager involved in the deployment, noted the change was positive: “In the past, delivery workers had to park above ground, unload goods, and manually push them into subway stations. Now, with robots, it’s much easier and more convenient”.
Read More: Turkey Debuts Radar‑Evasive Maritime UAV “Talay”
Each robot’s chassis is engineered to overcome obstacles like lifts and gaps, while LED “faces” displaying expressive eyes and smiles add a friendly, mascot-like appeal. Their load capacity is roughly suitcase-sized—enough for routine restocking needs during non-peak periods—and they transform underground product delivery into an automated, efficient process.
This subway-based delivery model represents a rare instance of “middle-mile” automation, extending beyond last-mile solutions. Shenzhen’s ambitious “Embodied Intelligent Robot Action Plan” aims to roll out widespread urban robotics by 2027, with this pilot acting as a proving ground for multimodal delivery networks integrating trains, elevators, and AI.
Urban observers suggest the project tackles several pain points: traffic congestion, labor intensity for retail staff, and inefficiencies from relying solely on surface transport . VX Logistics envisions scaling the system further—to carry parcels, cleaning supplies, or even medical equipment across metro stations—turning public transit into a “flexible delivery artery”.
Should the system prove reliable amidst operational challenges—crowds, busy schedules, and elevator access—the sight of these cheerful robot couriers could become as common as vending machines or ticket kiosks in Shenzhen’s bustling subway stations, heralding a new chapter in public space automation and urban logistics.
