Neolix CEO: Autonomous Vehicles Will Optimize, Not Replace, Couriers; $600M Funding Targets AI Development

At the 2026 High-Level Forum on Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development, Yu Enyuan, CEO of Neolix, stated that autonomous delivery vehicles will not replace couriers but instead optimize their work patterns. He explained that couriers typically work around 10 hours a day—six hours spent going up and down stairs for parcel pickup and delivery, and four hours dedicated to transportation. Autonomous vehicles will take over the transportation segment, allowing couriers to focus more on customer service. Yu emphasized that among the 22 steps in the end-to-end logistics process, machines should handle tasks unsuitable for humans, while people concentrate on higher-value responsibilities. Yu also revealed that the company’s previously secured $600 million in funding will primarily support R&D efforts, with a strategic focus on artificial intelligence. Currently, Neolix has deployed its NeoClaw AI agent on autonomous vehicles in Beijing and Qingdao, enabling remote management via natural language commands. The system can recognize various Chinese dialects, including Sichuanese and Northeastern Mandarin. Operators can issue instructions through their smartphones—such as “Drive all nearby low-battery vehicles to charging stations” or “Open the doors of these 50 vehicles”—and the autonomous vehicles will automatically execute the corresponding actions. Neolix is currently concentrating on applying Level 4 autonomous driving technology to urban logistics and delivery scenarios. Taking Qingdao as an example, the company has partnered with DiDi Freight. As of December 2025, it has deployed over 1,200 autonomous vehicles across Chengyang District, Jimo District, and the West Coast New Area of Qingdao, serving wholesale markets, chain supermarkets, and neighborhood convenience stores. By the end of 2026, the number of autonomous delivery vehicles in Qingdao is expected to reach 3,000.