(Yicai) Sept. 17 -- Minieye Technology and Desay SV Automotive, two Chinese smart driving solutions providers, announced they have started manufacturing vehicles, targeting the autonomous logistics market.

Minieye launched its self-driving logistics vehicle brand Xiaozhu Unmanned Vehicle on Sept. 15, releasing two Level-4 autonomous logistics vehicle models, the T5 and T8.

The T5 has a cargo volume of 5.5 cubic meters, a maximum payload of 1,000 kilograms, and a range of 180 kilometers. It is designed for urban express delivery and retail scenarios. The T8 has a cargo volume of 8.5 cubic meters, a payload of 1,700 kg, and a range of 240 km. It targets urban trunk logistics and industrial applications.

Minieye has set a delivery goal of 10,000 units, with the first batch already rolled off the production line and delivered to clients in Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi’an.

Founded in Shenzhen in 2014, Minieye has achieved mass production partnerships with 42 carmakers. Leveraging its supply chain resources and expertise in L1 to L4 autonomous driving technologies, the company has optimized costs and technology resources. It has secured strategic partnerships with Shenzhen Post and Shenzhen Eastern Public Transport.

Desay SV introduced its low-speed autonomous vehicle brand Chuanxing Zhiyuan in Shanghai on Sept. 2. The first automotive-grade product under Chuanxing Zhiyuan, the S6 series, has already hit the market.

Vehicles under the S6 series have a cargo volume of 6 cubic meters. They are the industry’s first with an anti-lock braking system, a traction control system, and a dynamic torque control. With a climbing capability of 25 percent, a battery warranty of six years or 300,000 km, and a dual-brain redundant system for enhanced safety, the S6 series set a new benchmark.

The self-driving logistics vehicle market is entering a rapid growth phase, according to industry insiders. Rising demand for automation in e-commerce, urban delivery, and industrial logistics, coupled with supportive policies, has fueled optimism about the low-speed autonomous vehicle market.

The choices by suppliers to foray into vehicle manufacturing reflect deeper industry integration.

Compared to carmakers, auto parts suppliers like Minieye and Desay SV hold advantages in technological expertise, supply chain management, and cost control, enabling faster responses to market needs. Moreover, autonomous vehicles designed for specific scenarios face lower technical and regulatory hurdles than passenger cars, offering suppliers a strategic entry point.

Editor: Futura Costaglione