The annual Double 11 shopping festival is just around the corner, marking one of the most anticipated and influential e-commerce events of the year. As online shopping surges, logistics becomes a critical challenge for all platforms. However, with the rapid development of technology, the logistics industry has evolved into a smarter, more efficient system. "Smart Logistics" has now become a key trend in the sector, transforming how goods are stored, sorted, and delivered.
Let’s take a closer look at how major e-commerce companies are leveraging smart logistics to meet the growing demands of the season.
[Image: Logistics robot]
Starting with Alibaba, the e-commerce giant has been at the forefront of innovation. Last year, Alibaba’s Haining “Intelligent Warehouse,†developed by the Cainiao Network, went live. This was China’s first fully automated warehouse, where machines replaced manual labor in sorting and packing. It featured advanced AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) robots that could navigate and manage inventory efficiently.
This year, the warehouse has been upgraded, with a larger robotic storage area and an increased number of AGV robots working simultaneously. The new smart warehouse now houses over 150 AGV robots, capable of emptying the entire warehouse in just one hour. This level of automation ensures faster processing and improved efficiency during peak seasons like Double 11.
[Image: Smart logistics system]
Jingdong, another leading player, unveiled its first full-process intelligent unmanned warehouse in Shanghai this October. Spanning 40,000 square meters, the facility includes four core systems: receiving, storage, order picking, and packaging. The storage system uses 8 shuttle trains, allowing it to store up to 60,000 boxes at once.
What makes this warehouse unique is its diverse range of specialized robots. These robots handle everything from cargo handling to packaging, sorting, and transferring packages. They can follow system instructions, avoid obstacles, and optimize their paths automatically. This fully automated system represents a bold step forward in intelligent logistics, achieving 100% coverage of automation and smart equipment.
Unlike Alibaba and Jingdong, Suning’s TESCO has taken a different approach by introducing Cobos robots into its physical stores. Starting in November, the first batch of these smart retail robots will be deployed in Suning’s unmanned stores and other brick-and-mortar locations.
These robots not only assist customers with navigation and product information but also recognize customer identities and proactively engage with them. They play a key role in Suning’s “V-purchase†system, offering remote shopping services for VIPs, helping parents make informed choices while shopping with their kids.
Additionally, through real-time data collection and analysis, the Cobos robots help Suning integrate offline and online operations, enhancing marketing strategies and delivering a seamless, tech-driven shopping experience.
It’s estimated that the total number of parcels processed during the Double 11 period (November 11–16) will exceed 1 billion. To meet this demand, e-commerce giants are increasingly investing in smart logistics solutions, particularly in robotics. Their innovations have not only improved operational efficiency but also set new standards for the future of delivery and customer service.
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