Firms seek network link with vehicles

Source: Xinhua | 2018-09-14

Alibaba’s logistics affiliate Cainiao Network has made a strategic investment in Internet of Things technology provider Shenzhen Yiliu Technology as it seeks digital means to connect delivery networks and transport vehicles.

Cainiao and Yiliu Technology will work together to help trucks and logistics companies to optimize delivery routes and seek to move toward a digitized supply chain.

“Helping logistics companies to push forward the transformation toward digitalization has always been a priority for Cainiao Network,” said Cainiao Network president Wan Lin. “Yiliu Technology will allow us access to better technology research and application capabilities.”

China has over 13 million cargo trucks, and transport vehicles are scattered with most logistics companies operating on a small scale without proper digital tools to track their operation status.

Yiliu Technology currently connects 1.4 million transport vehicles and more than 1.5 million truck drivers and is expected to share its smart dispatch system with Cainiao’s existing delivery network.