IKEA China has moved Neolix autonomous delivery vehicles from pilot to permanent operation at its Hefei store, following a trial in Anhui Province that cut customer self-pickup wait times by two-thirds. The results mark one of the more concrete examples of Level 4 autonomous logistics transitioning into sustained retail use.
Highlights
- Wait times cut from six hours to two for customer self-pickup orders during the Neolix pilot at IKEA Hefei
- Transportation costs fell more than 50% between IKEA operational units over the course of the program
- Neolix X6 vehicles logged nearly 75,600 kilometers of autonomous driving during the deployment
- Ingka Group is now evaluating international markets for autonomous logistics expansion where legislation and infrastructure permit
Pilot Results Drive Permanent Adoption
Ingka Group, the largest IKEA franchisee, confirmed the permanent deployment at IKEA Hefei following the completion of the Anhui Province trial. During the pilot, Neolix vehicles handled two distinct workflows. They transported customer orders from an external warehouse to the store for self-pickup. Additionally, they supported in-store replenishment operations.
The operational results were significant. Average wait times for self-pickup orders dropped from six hours to two — a two-thirds reduction. Meanwhile, transportation costs between IKEA operational units fell by more than 50%. Ingka Group suggests the model could prove particularly viable for smaller store formats.
Neolix X6: Vehicle Specifications
The deployment uses the Neolix X6 autonomous delivery van. Key specifications include:
- Cargo capacity: 6 cubic meters
- Payload: More than 1 metric ton
- Autonomy level: SAE Level 4 — full self-driving within designated operational environments, without human intervention
- Remote monitoring: Active, for safety oversight
- Environmental capability: Rain, fog, snow, unpaved roads, narrow routes, and dense pedestrian or vehicle traffic
The X6 operates without a safety driver inside the vehicle. However, remote operators monitor the fleet during all active runs.
Global Context and Expansion Plans
Based on the pilot data, Ingka Group stated that IKEA is assessing which international markets present viable conditions for autonomous logistics. Favorable legislation and infrastructure are the primary criteria for expansion. In China specifically, IKEA is also evaluating pilot programs for autonomous last-mile deliveries directly to customers.
Neolix, founded in Beijing, focuses on L4 autonomous delivery vehicles for commercial logistics. The company has deployed its platform in more than 300 cities across 15 countries. Its retail client base extends beyond IKEA to include uSmile — the convenience retail network under China National Petroleum Corporation — as well as Zhongbai Lawson and Meiyijia.
The IKEA Hefei deployment illustrates a broader shift in autonomous logistics. Pilot programs, once treated as long-term technology validation exercises, are beginning to yield operational commitments from major retailers.
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