Neolithic Huitong (Beijing) Technology

Neolithic Huitong (Beijing) Technology, operating as Neolix, is a developer and manufacturer of autonomous vehicles headquartered in Beijing, China. The company was founded in 2018 by Yu Enyuan, an entrepreneur who previously created smart tools for the logistics industry before expanding into driverless vehicles in 2016. Neolix focuses on producing Level 4 (L4) autonomous vehicles, which can operate without human intervention under specific conditions.

The company's business model centers on selling these self-driving vehicles directly to corporations and governments. Its client base includes major logistics and e-commerce companies like JD.com, as well as technology firms such as Huawei. These vehicles are utilized for a variety of applications, including parcel delivery, mobile vending, and security surveillance. For instance, Neolix vehicles serve as mobile vending machines in tourist locations and have been adapted to deliver meals for restaurant operators. The company has also expanded its operations internationally, with partnerships in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and a significant agreement to deploy smart logistics services in Incheon, South Korea.

Neolix has developed a range of autonomous vehicles, with its fifth-generation model, the X3, being a key product. The X3 is designed for urban public roads, capable of speeds up to 40 km/h with a range of 100km on a full charge. It features a cargo capacity of three cubic meters and can carry up to 300 parcels. The vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated sensor array, including two LiDAR units, to achieve 360-degree environmental perception for safe navigation. A cloud-based platform supports the vehicles, offering services like dispatching, vehicle monitoring, and data analysis. The company operates one of the first production lines for L4 autonomous vehicles, with a facility in Changzhou.

Financially, Neolix has secured significant investment to fuel its growth. The company has raised a total of $126 million over six funding rounds. A major Series C funding round in March 2024 brought in $83 million from investors including CICC Huirong, Qianhai FoF, and Shell Ventures. These funds are allocated towards advancing research and development and expanding the nationwide deployment of its unmanned delivery vehicles. As of May 2024, Neolix has obtained the right of way to operate in over 70 cities in China, including megacities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Keywords: autonomous delivery vehicles, L4 autonomous driving, smart logistics, unmanned vehicles, mobile retail, last-mile delivery, vehicle manufacturing, autonomous technology, cloud-based dispatch, e-commerce logistics, urban mobility, robotic delivery, Neolix X3, Yu Enyuan, smart city services, autonomous patrol, mobile vending, logistics automation, driverless technology, intelligent vehicles