The autonomous vehicle revolution continues to reshape global transportation, and China remains at the forefront of this transformation.
Two notable players in the Chinese smart automotive technology landscape — MiniEye and Desay SV Automotive — have officially entered the fast-growing self-driving logistics vehicle sector.
Their strategic entry highlights the increasing demand for autonomous delivery solutions and the rapid evolution of logistics automation across the region.
The Growing Demand for Self-Driving Logistics in China
The E-Commerce Boom and Urban Delivery Pressures
China is the world’s largest e-commerce market, driven by tech giants like Alibaba, JD.com, and Pinduoduo. With hundreds of millions of packages delivered daily, last-mile logistics has become a bottleneck for efficiency, labor, and cost.
Urban congestion, rising delivery costs, and increasing consumer expectations for same-day or next-hour delivery have accelerated interest in autonomous logistics vehicles (ALVs).
These vehicles, ranging from small sidewalk bots to full-sized vans, are designed to reduce dependency on human drivers and optimize delivery routes using real-time data.
Policy and Regulatory Support
The Chinese government has made intelligent transportation systems (ITS) a key pillar of its smart city strategy.
Recent policies from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and local governments in cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, and Wuhan have allowed testing and limited deployment of autonomous delivery vehicles, making China one of the most fertile grounds for ALV development.
Who Are MiniEye and Desay SV?
MiniEye: Vision Systems for Autonomous Vehicles
Founded in 2014, MiniEye is a leading Chinese developer of automotive-grade vision systems and AI-powered perception technologies.
Known for its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), MiniEye provides solutions for both passenger vehicles and commercial fleets.
Key areas of expertise include:
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Computer vision and deep learning
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Lidar-free perception systems
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Edge AI processing
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Low-power visual recognition chips
MiniEye’s entry into the logistics AV market builds upon its strong foundation in vehicle perception — a critical component for safe and reliable self-driving systems.
Desay SV Automotive: Smart Cockpits to Smart Logistics
Desay SV Automotive, headquartered in Huizhou, is a publicly listed company and one of China’s largest Tier 1 suppliers of automotive electronics.
It supplies smart cockpit solutions, digital instrument clusters, and advanced infotainment systems to major automakers.
Desay SV has been making aggressive strides in the intelligent driving segment through partnerships, R&D investments, and collaborations with Baidu Apollo, NVIDIA, and Black Sesame Technologies.
By expanding into self-driving logistics vehicles, Desay SV is leveraging its experience in vehicle control units (VCUs), sensor fusion, and in-vehicle connectivity — all essential for autonomous logistics platforms.
Strategic Motives Behind Their Entry
Diversification Beyond Passenger Vehicles
The autonomous passenger car market has seen slower-than-expected commercialization due to safety, regulation, and infrastructure challenges.
In contrast, autonomous logistics vehicles operate in more controlled environments (e.g., campuses, warehouses, gated communities, or low-speed urban zones), making them easier to deploy and monetize in the near term.
By entering this sector, MiniEye and Desay SV can diversify their revenue streams, shorten time to market, and generate real-world data that feeds back into future iterations of their core technologies.
Expanding the B2B Footprint
The logistics industry in China is dominated by B2B contracts with e-commerce platforms, warehousing companies, and urban delivery services.
By building and integrating systems for autonomous logistics vehicles, both companies can create long-term strategic partnerships and tap into lucrative service-based business models such as:
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Autonomous fleet leasing
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Data-as-a-service (DaaS)
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Remote operations and fleet monitoring
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Over-the-air (OTA) updates for perception modules
Technology Stack and Capabilities
MiniEye’s Contribution: AI Perception and Embedded Vision
MiniEye’s core contribution to the self-driving logistics vehicle space lies in its low-cost, high-performance perception systems, including:
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Mono-vision and stereo-vision cameras
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Depth estimation algorithms
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360-degree surround view systems
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Driver monitoring and behavior prediction
Unlike many Western companies that rely heavily on expensive lidar sensors, MiniEye focuses on vision-first approaches, making their solutions more cost-effective — a key advantage in the logistics sector where unit economics matter.
Desay SV’s Contribution: System Integration and VCU Control
Desay SV’s core strength is in vehicle control, connectivity, and centralized computing. For self-driving logistics vehicles, it provides:
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High-performance computing platforms (domain controllers)
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Sensor fusion units combining radar, camera, and ultrasonic data
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Cybersecurity and over-the-air (OTA) update systems
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In-cabin interfaces and telematics
Desay SV can effectively serve as a full-stack system integrator, bringing together perception, actuation, and cloud connectivity into a seamless logistics automation platform.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
MiniEye’s Industry Alliances
MiniEye has ongoing collaborations with OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, and AI research labs. It is also a key player in China’s AV standards committees, helping define national standards for visual perception in autonomous vehicles.
There are reports of MiniEye working closely with logistics robot companies and urban AV fleets to embed its vision systems into small, sidewalk-level delivery vehicles and mid-size autonomous vans.
Desay SV’s Ecosystem Strategy
Desay SV has previously partnered with Baidu Apollo, providing cockpit and VCU technologies for autonomous taxis.
It is likely that a similar strategy will apply in logistics, where Desay SV acts as a platform provider rather than just a component supplier.
Desay SV is also expanding its cloud-based management tools for AV fleets — including remote diagnostics, fleet health monitoring, and predictive maintenance, which are critical for logistics use cases.
Market Competition and Challenges
Key Competitors
In China, the self-driving logistics space is already competitive, with startups and tech giants alike racing to secure market share. Notable players include:
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Neolix – Autonomous delivery vehicles operating in over 30 cities
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White Rhino – Focused on campus and industrial park delivery
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JD Logistics – Operates a large fleet of autonomous delivery vans
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WeRide Robovan – Partnering with Jiangling Motors to launch commercial AV vans
Challenges Ahead
Despite strong tailwinds, MiniEye and Desay SV face several challenges:
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High initial R&D costs
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Regulatory uncertainty in some provinces
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Public trust and safety concerns
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Fierce competition from specialized AV startups
However, their established positions in the automotive tech ecosystem, existing manufacturing scale, and deep technical expertise provide a significant advantage.
Future Outlook: What Comes Next?
Commercialization Timelines
Industry insiders suggest that autonomous delivery fleets could see wider rollout by 2026, particularly in gated environments such as:
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University campuses
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Business parks
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Logistics hubs
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Residential communities
MiniEye and Desay SV are expected to initially focus on these controlled-use cases before scaling to urban mixed-traffic scenarios.
International Expansion Potential
While the initial focus is on China’s domestic market, there is potential for international expansion, especially into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe where logistics demand is rising and AV regulations are evolving quickly.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the significance of MiniEye and Desay SV entering the self-driving logistics vehicle market?
Their entry marks a major shift as two established automotive tech firms diversify beyond passenger vehicles into autonomous delivery solutions, signaling growing commercial potential in China’s logistics automation sector.
What roles will MiniEye and Desay SV play in autonomous logistics?
MiniEye will focus on AI-powered vision systems for perception and navigation.
Desay SV will provide vehicle control units, sensor integration, and system-level platforms to power and manage autonomous delivery vehicles.
Why is China a hotspot for autonomous logistics vehicles?
China has:
- The world’s largest e-commerce and logistics industry
- Government support for autonomous mobility and smart cities
- High urban density and delivery volume, making last-mile efficiency critical
How do autonomous logistics vehicles differ from autonomous passenger vehicles?
Logistics vehicles typically operate in lower-speed, controlled environments (like campuses or gated communities), making them easier and faster to deploy than passenger AVs, which must navigate complex traffic.
Who are the main competitors of MiniEye and Desay SV in this space?
Key competitors include:
- Neolix
- JD Logistics
- White Rhino
- WeRide Robovan
These players have launched or are testing autonomous delivery fleets in multiple Chinese cities.
What technologies are critical for self-driving logistics vehicles?
- Computer vision and AI perception
- Sensor fusion (camera, radar, lidar)
- Vehicle control systems
- Cloud connectivity and remote fleet monitoring
- Cybersecurity and OTA updates
When can we expect widespread use of autonomous logistics vehicles in China?
Wider commercial rollout is expected between 2025–2026, starting in semi-controlled environments, with full-scale urban deployment likely to follow as regulations, infrastructure, and public trust mature.
Conclusion
The entry of MiniEye and Desay SV into the self-driving logistics vehicle sector marks an important development in China’s autonomous vehicle ecosystem.
As global supply chains evolve and urban delivery challenges increase, the demand for intelligent, efficient, and scalable logistics solutions is expected to skyrocket.
Backed by cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and government support, these two companies are well-positioned to reshape the landscape of autonomous logistics — not just in China, but potentially around the world.
