Transportation of medicine, food, and other medical supplies is one of the biggest challenges the Chinese people face since coronavirus pandemic attacked in China. Since then, autopilot vehicles have dominated the streets. One self-driving company is now gaining popularity on the role it played especially during the onset of the COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.
Self-Driving Vehicle's Role During The Pandemic
Neolix, a driverless delivery company based in Beijing, has been utilizing its self-driving vans to deliver goods and medical supplies to most areas that are affected. It was essential, particularly in delivering these necessities in the epicenter of the COVID-19 in China. Its autonomous vans are also used to help move food to people who are working on the front lines and disinfect streets to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The Chinese government discovered the potential of these autopilot vans. Recently it announced that those willing to purchase the said vehicles would be subsidizing the total price up to 60 percent. When Neolix, started producing their autonomous vans in May of last year, the company has just produced 125 units only. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, Neolix's small driverless vans helped reduce customer's physical contact, which gives the company's self-driving vans an unexpected boost.
After the Chinese government offered incentives to fund the purchase of the vehicle, the company's inventory was depleted. "Demand has been surging since the virus outbreak, and more importantly, people's perception toward driverless delivery had a complete108-degree shift" Yu Enyuan, Neolix founder, remarked.
"People realize that such vehicles can get things done when it is risky for a human being to do so. China's digital services economy has prospered during the crisis as people shifted to online consumption." Bill Russo, CEO of consulting firm Automobility Ltd. noted. "This will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous service delivery solutions.
Demand For Autonomous Vehicles
Neolix and other self-driving companies appear to benefit from the COVID-19 pandemic that snatched the lives of around 10,000 people all over the world. Before, people are not really into self-driving cars because of the notion that these are dangerous on the roads where there are pedestrians and regular vehicles. However, experts predict that self-driving cars will eventually save lives and are much safer compared to manually driven vehicles. It would be very helpful, especially for drivers with serious issues like high blood pressure, migraine, difficulty breathing, eye issues headaches, sleeplessness, and exhaustion.
And since most of the regions around the globe are now facing forced shutdowns, the roads are mostly less populated and less congested. For now, Neolix is determined to push ahead and hopes to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
