Changsha to build unmanned vehicle headquarters

Hunan province's Changsha city reached a deal with Chinese e-commerce giant Jingdong Group June 11 to establish a manufacturing headquarters for the development of unmanned vehicles (UV).

The deal will see Jingdong invest 2 billion yuan ($312.5 million) over three years in the Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone (CETZ). Jingdong plans to construct a research and development center and a production base for intelligent robotics, as well as UV equipment and vehicles in the zone.

The unmanned vehicles project is part of a 10 billion-yuan deal between CETZ and Jingdong. Focusing on UV development, the deal was signed at a manufacturing summit in Changsha in December 2017. 

Both parties are optimistic about the future of intelligence technologies in Changsha.

"Jingdong will actively promote the development of intelligent logistics in Hunan, and create an artificial intelligence ecosystem through the development of automated driving technology. Both parties will work together to build a rich, beautiful Hunan," said Jingdong vice-president Xiao Jun.

Zeng Chaoqun, secretary of the Party Working Committee of CETZ, noted Jingdong's choice of Changsha as project headquarters with confidence and appreciation. Zeng said CETZ would offer their strongest support to the project.

"Over the years, Jingdong has pursued research into unmanned delivery and aims to be the first to industrialize such a delivery system," said Wen Shuxun, Changsha Political Consultative Committee chairman. "Full governmental support has been offered to Jingdong. Both sides will innovate and succeed together."