(Yicai Global) April 27 -- Meituan is planning to mass-produce its second-generation self-driving food delivery vehicle soon, according to the Chinese lifestyle platform's chief scientist.

Modai 20 has been tested for performance and endurance in low temperatures, Xia Huaxia told Yicai Global yesterday. But the vehicle is not likely to replace all takeout drivers, he added.

Beijing-based Meituan started studying unmanned delivery in 2016. After testing its first related technology in March 2018, the company began using its autopilot vehicles in Beijing’s Shunyi district early last year. The scope has been expanded to more than 20 residential communities in Shunyi and the cars have reached a combined mileage of about 300,000 km.

“We believe men and machines should work in synergy in the future," said Xia. Delivery staff can interact with clients and move inside buildings more smoothly than machines, he added. But smart vehicles can deliver goods on open roads more efficiently, particularly in demanding weather conditions.

The revamped vehicle can go as fast as 45 kilometers per hour but the maximum speed will be limited to 20 km per hour, according to the chief scientist. It can carry as much as 150 kilograms and fulfill 10 orders on a single trip.

The tech firm said on April 20 that it has secured USD10 billion in financing to increase its investment in delivery with unmanned vehicles, including drones.

Takeout is the biggest moneymaker for the listings giant. Meituan's revenue climbed 18 percent to CNY114.8 billion (USD17.7 billion) in 2020 from 2019, mainly driven by its food delivery business. Its net loss tallied CNY3.1 billion (USD478.1 million) amid increased spending on its group-buying business, Meituan Select. It paid its delivery staff 19 percent more at CNY48.7 billion (USD7.5 billion).

Editor: Zhang Yushuo, Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi