Rakuten and Seiyu launch Japan’s first autonomous delivery robots

Oct 3, 2019Updated Jun 4, 20251 min read

Rakuten has partnered with Seiyu to launch Japan’s first autonomous delivery robots service with JD in Umikaze Park.

Using the Rakuten Drone app, Umikaze Park visitors can place their orders from the Seiyu Livin Yokosuka Store and receive the products delivered by the Rakuten UGV (unmanned ground vehicle).

“JD develops unmanned technologies to provide customers a superior experience, and we highly value the partnership with Rakuten,” said Qi Kong, head of autonomous driving at JD Logistics. “This is a demonstration of how we are opening up our solutions to customers beyond JD.”

The autonomous delivery robots service will be available only from September 21 to October 27.

Earlier this year, JD and Rakuten signed a partnership to develop unmanned delivery solutions, one of which was drone-delivery service on Sarushima Island in Tokyo Bay.

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Mei Ling Tan

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Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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