JD.com Launches AI-Powered Smart Helmet for Food Couriers

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has launched an smart helmet for food couriers with features enabled by artificial intelligence technology, following similar roll-outs by rivals Alibaba Group Holding and Meituan as they seek to improve rider safety and boost delivery efficiency.

The helmet integrates an AI-driven voice assistant with a camera that can “see” the surrounding environment, JD.com’s food delivery unit announced on Monday.

The company said the device was designed to minimise distractions in poor weather, when delivery riders, who often travel by electric bike, struggle to use smartphones with wet hands or limited visibility.

Instead of pulling over to tap a screen in heavy rain, couriers could use voice commands to manage new orders, communicate with customers and complete other essential tasks while driving, it said in the statement.

Beyond relying on online maps, the system provides turn-by-turn voice prompts based on established routes used by experienced riders, helping newer workers navigate unfamiliar areas and avoid delays.

Other AI-assisted features include automatically reading customer delivery instructions – such as contactless drop-off requests – and assisting with quality assurance checks when couriers collect orders. For instance, the helmet could automatically flag potential hygiene issues at a restaurant, the company said.