The first intelligent logistics express line in China was put into use in Xin'an town, Huazhou of Maoming on April 15.

The "Intelligent Logistics Express" was independently developed by Guangzhou-based firm iBosst and is China's first new lightweight and automatic goods delivery system. It has installed a network of cables at a low altitude on which small containers controlled by the cloud system can travel to any destination. The system boasts the major characteristics of flexibility, punctuality, fast speed, and low cost.

A small container controlled by the cloud system travels on cables at a low altitude. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

"The Intelligent Logistics Express can solve logistics problems of high cost, slow efficiency, and being unreachable in suburban and rural areas," said Ma Yasheng, chairman of iBosst.

The intelligent logistics express line connecting Xin'an town and Xintang village has benefited more than 8,600 people in the 34 villages along the route.

"I had to ride a motorcycle for more than 10 kilometers to Xin'an town to get my goods," said a villager surnamed Li from Xintang village. "But now it only takes me one minute to get them at the base station at the village entrance. The express line is of great convenience for the elderly."

A worker at the base station of the Intelligent Logistics Express takes goods out of small containers. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

People in Xintang village who want to have take-out from Xin'an town just need to place an order through their mobile phones at home after the operation of the intelligent logistics express line, said a take-away deliveryman surnamed Wen from Xin'an town.

The intelligent logistics express line also brings convenience for fruit growers. "In the past, I had to rush to Xin'an town for express delivery if I received orders of 10-jin (5 kilograms)," said a fruit grower surnamed Chen from Xintang village. "But now I can pick the fruit and send it out through the intelligent logistics express line as soon as I receive the orders. The express line saves my time and reduces my transportation costs greatly."

In addition, the Intelligent Logistics Express has great potential to become an important infrastructure carrier for the implementation of the national strategy of rural development, according to experts from China Communications Construction.

The Intelligent Logistics Express network will be an open platform that serves a variety of industries. It is predicted to have a scale of 10 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion), and become an engine for rural revitalization.

The Intelligent Logistics Express project in Huazhou will cover one county-level center, as well as two town-level base stations and 15 village-level pickup points, forming a three-tier network. Construction of the network is expected to be finished by the end of this year.