JD.com Projects Robots Will Replace 700,000 Delivery Workers

JD.com founder Richard Liu has made a bold statement regarding the future of delivery logistics, forecasting that automation technology will replace approximately 700,000 delivery workers in the coming years. This projection reflects accelerating investment in autonomous delivery systems, robotic warehousing, and AI-driven logistics optimization across the e-commerce and third-party logistics sectors. The statement carries significant implications for supply chain professionals managing labor strategy, operational costs, and workforce planning.

While automation promises efficiency gains and cost reduction, it signals a structural shift in how last-mile delivery networks will be staffed and operated. Companies relying on traditional delivery models face pressure to invest in automation infrastructure to remain competitive, particularly in high-volume markets like China where JD.com operates. For supply chain leaders, this announcement underscores the urgency of digital transformation in last-mile operations.

Organizations must balance capital investment in automation with workforce transition planning, regulatory considerations, and customer service continuity. The displacement figure also highlights the scale at which technology disruption is reshaping traditional logistics roles, demanding proactive talent management and skills retraining initiatives.