(Yicai Global) May 26 -- Beijing’s autonomous driving demonstration zone issued the first codes to driverless delivery vehicles from JD.Com, Meituan and Neolix Technologies yesterday, allowing them to run on open roads in the zone, according to the local government.

Driverless delivery vehicles are mainly used for last-kilometer fast deliveries and logistics. The vehicles have been tested in closed or semi-enclosed areas but have not yet obtained the right to run on regular roads. 

The zone will manage the vehicles according to rules for non-motor vehicles, which means they can only use non-motor vehicle lanes, based on the Management Implementation Rules for Driverless Delivery Vehicles the zone released yesterday.

To be safe, the vehicles must not exceed 15 kilometers an hour, and each one must have a driver on the spot and a remote one in the initial stage of operation. The vehicles must make light or voice signals when approaching corners or intersections with a limited view to alert other road users, and they are not allowed to overtake under normal circumstances. The rules also require insurance coverage.

Such vehicles have become increasingly common in logistics, retail and security, and the rules can fill in the regulatory and standards gap, the zone said. JD.Com, Meituan, and Neolix have so far put driverless vehicles into use in delivery stations, residential areas and major industrial parks.

Editor: Tom Litting