IKEA China cuts wait times with self-driving vehicles in Hefei

Customer pick-up wait times cut from six hours to two hours.

IKEA China has deployed self-driving vehicles in Anhui Province, reducing customer waiting times for self-pick-up orders from six hours to two.

The initiative involved autonomous vehicles transporting customer orders from an external warehouse to the IKEA Hefei store for self-pick-up, as well as re-stocking in-store products. Since testing began, the vehicles have collectively traveled nearly 75,600 kilometers.

The move also cut transportation costs between IKEA units by more than 50%, prompting Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest franchisee, to make the service permanent at Hefei.

IKEA is now exploring expansion to other markets where legislation and infrastructure allow, with trials of autonomous home deliveries ongoing in China.

IKEA said the initiative improves efficiency for co-workers while enhancing the customer experience, in line with its vision to make everyday life better for the many people.