Core Viewpoint - The unmanned delivery vehicle industry is transitioning from a testing phase to large-scale commercial operations, with significant investment and technological advancements driving this change [2][3]. Investment and Market Growth - In October, significant financing events occurred in the unmanned delivery sector, with New Stone Technology raising over $600 million in Series D funding, marking the largest financing in China's autonomous driving sector [2] - The total disclosed financing in the unmanned driving sector exceeded 14.6 billion RMB (approximately $2.1 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, indicating a shift towards large-scale commercial applications [2] - The delivery vehicle market is projected to see a shipment of approximately 6,600 units in 2024, with over 12,000 units shipped in the first half of 2025 [3] Market Potential and Business Expansion - The market for unmanned delivery vehicles is expanding from single-use cases in express delivery to broader applications in instant logistics and urban delivery, targeting over 30 million urban delivery vehicles in China [3] - New Stone Technology reported that the proportion of sales from the express delivery sector has decreased from 100% to 50%, indicating diversification into non-express scenarios [3] Cost Efficiency and Technological Advancements - The operational cost per kilometer for unmanned vehicles is approximately 0.4 RMB, with delivery costs potentially dropping below 0.04 RMB, showcasing a significant cost advantage over traditional delivery methods [4] - New Stone Technology has developed an L4-level driverless technology that has begun commercial deployment, enhancing operational efficiency and expanding use cases [4] Regulatory and Operational Challenges - The unmanned delivery vehicle industry faces challenges related to road rights, with a lack of unified management regulations and entry standards hindering growth [6][7] - The absence of a comprehensive standard system for low-speed unmanned vehicles complicates cross-regional operations and interoperability [7] - Safety concerns and public acceptance remain critical issues as the number of unmanned vehicles in urban areas increases [8] Policy and Future Outlook - As of mid-2025, 103 cities in China have opened road rights for unmanned delivery vehicles, covering over 80% of major logistics nodes [9] - The industry is at a pivotal point for transformation and large-scale commercialization, with ongoing efforts to address regulatory, standardization, and safety challenges [9]
不再只是送快递 无人车加速进入各行各业
经济观察报·2025-11-09 04:19