RoboVan X1 robot car brings sidewalk deliveries to offices and elevators
Published on Jan 08, 2026 at 8:20 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jan 08, 2026 at 9:44 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
China-based Neolix has unveiled its next-generation AI-powered autonomous RoboVan X1, and its dinky size makes it an ideal delivery bot for cities.
The company showcased its full line-up on RoboVans, which come in a range of sizes, at this year’s CES in Las Vegas.
The smallest of which is the RoboVan X1 prototype, designed to be a ‘final feet’ courier.
The cute little autonomous vehicle has an agile design and uses AI for on-the-spot decision-making, making deliveries easier than ever.
DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
The AI-powered RoboVan X1 has Level 4 autonomy
AI technology is making life easier in all sorts of ways, from helping with oil changes to reducing hospital bills.
Now, the tech is set to branch out into deliveries and logistics, with Neolix revealing the full RoboVan lineup.
The next-generation vehicles range in size from less than one cubic meter to 12 cubic meters.
The smallest of the bunch is the X1, and it has been specially designed to tackle the ‘most expensive part’ of deliveries: the very final few feet.
Its size, combined with its AI capabilities, means the X1 can navigate seamlessly between sidewalks, building lobbies, and doorways, without needing a human operator.
For now, the X1 is a prototype, but Neolix is eying plans to put it into mass production, meaning you might see one of these little guys out and about on the street sooner than you think.
“Autonomous logistics has reached a critical tipping point, transitioning from experimental pilots to true commercial scale,” CEO of Neolix YU Enyuan said.
“2025 was a milestone year where we achieved mass deployment, refined our mapless technology, and expanded our global footprint.”
Alongside the pint-sized X1, Neolix also showcased the slightly larger ‘last-mile pioneer’ X3 model, as well as the X6 ‘middle-mile’ carrier.
A Neolix X3 was the first vehicle to get a special kind of license plate
In China, a Neolix X3 was the first vehicle to be given a special license plate for autonomous vehicles.
The license plate reads: ‘A.00001’ and was reportedly the first of its kind to be used.
The X3 operates entirely autonomously using cameras and LiDAR technology to ‘see’ its way around the streets.
The delivery vehicle has a top speed of just under 25mph and can do around 62 miles on a single charge.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
