Meituan is a Chinese O2O (online-to-offline) local life service platform that connects users with local businesses for various services. While primarily known for its food delivery services, Meituan has expanded into other areas, including AI. In 2023, Meituan acquired AI start-up Light Year to enhance its capabilities in artificial general intelligence. The company has also invested in developing autonomous delivery technologies, including drones.
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Meituan acquired Light Years Beyond for $234,000,000.
Meituan has completed the preliminary development stages for its drones and dispatching systems, with over 90% of its core systems and components developed in-house.
As of June 2021, Meituan's drones have completed over 200,000 flight tests and delivered over 2,500 orders.
In June 2021, Meituan used drones to deliver vital supplies to residents in Shenzhen's Nanshan district who were isolated by a COVID-induced quarantine.
Meituan's drones and delivery riders are envisioned to work seamlessly together to deliver orders.
Meituan demonstrated how drones and delivery riders could work together to deliver orders.
Meituan introduced a new, self-developed drone model and announced plans for a drone logistics network pilot program in Shanghai.