Shenzhen Metro Unleashes Autonomous Robots for Underground 7-Eleven Deliveries
The Shenzhen Metro has transformed into a futuristic logistics artery—now traversed by autonomous delivery robots replenishing 7-Eleven stores. A total of 41 such devices are already navigating the underground network. Operating during off-peak hours, these robots board trains unassisted, disembark at designated stations, and deliver goods directly to retail outlets.
The robots are managed by VX Logistics, the logistics arm of property developer Vanke, which is partly owned by the metro operator. According to the South China Morning Post, this initiative marks the world’s first project where store deliveries are conducted via a subway system.
Visually, the robots resemble cheerful “penguins” with LED eyes and polished exteriors. They are engineered to navigate elevation changes, platform gaps, elevators, and train cabins autonomously. As Hou Shanzhe, head of automation at VX Logistics, explains, their unique chassis was purpose-built for subterranean environments: “They are specifically designed for metro mobility and will continue to evolve through real-world use.”
Currently, the robots serve more than 100 retail locations across various districts in Shenzhen. Li Yangyang, a store manager, shared that deliveries used to involve couriers hauling boxes from the street and manually descending into underground walkways. Now, the process is swifter and far less labor-intensive.
This initiative is part of Shenzhen’s 2025–2027 Development Plan for Somatic-Intelligence Robotics—a citywide endeavor to integrate robotics into everyday life. In a city already home to over 1,600 robotics firms, the focus is now shifting from industrial automation to service-oriented machines in public spaces.
The trend aligns with national priorities. China’s elderly care strategy, for instance, emphasizes humanoid robots capable of assisting patients and performing domestic tasks. Officials in Beijing assert that robots will be deployed for “hazardous, monotonous, and highly specialized” operations—from deep-sea inspections to space exploration.
For the Shenzhen Metro and Vanke, the partnership with 7-Eleven serves as a proving ground. If these machines can overcome urban logistical challenges, they could be repurposed to deliver not only snacks, but also medicines, tools, or critical documents.
According to Li Yangyang, the logistics process now feels like “riding the metro”—fast, effortless, and predictable. Should the project prove successful, automated couriers on train platforms may soon become as ubiquitous in urban life as vending machines.