In brief: JD, Rakuten partner for unmanned delivery service in Japan

JD and Rakuten have signed an agreement that will see JD’s drones and autonomous delivery robots utilized in Rakuten’s unmanned delivery business in Japan.

Source: JD

Under the agreement, Rakuten will accelerate the commercialization of its drone delivery services in the country. JD will assist Rakuten through its expertise in developing drones and autonomous delivery robots to suit a wide range of applications and situations.

“In Japan, there are many opportunities for drones to make deliveries, [especially] in mountainous areas, remote islands, and in emergencies,” said Jun Xiao, president of JD’s logistics innovation lab JD-X.