JD.com (NASDAQ:JD), China’s largest direct retailer, recently partnered with Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten (NASDAQOTH:RKUNY) to launch an unmanned delivery service in Japan. The service will use JD’s autonomous delivery vehicles and drones, which are already operating in China, to help Rakuten cut costs for “last mile” deliveries between transportation hubs and final destinations.

JD’s unmanned ground vehicle, which has a top speed of 9 miles per hour, is only about 5 feet tall and less than 6 feet long. Its drone, which can travel up to 10 miles, is less than 2 feet high and weighs about 11 pounds.

Source: JD.com Helps Amazon’s Biggest Japanese Rival Launch Drone Deliveries — The Motley Fool