JD.com Unveils 'Wolf Pack' Robot Matrix at World Intelligent Industry Expo

JD.com demonstrated its ambitious robotics strategy at the 2026 World Intelligent Industry Expo (Smart Expo) in Tianjin, unveiling a full-spectrum "Wolf Pack" robot matrix spanning aerial, ground, and warehouse logistics scenarios. The展台 featured AI-powered massage robots, a robot band, and precision assembly demonstrations, drawing large crowds. The "Wolf Pack" series includes the Dúláng (Lone Wolf) sixth-generation smart delivery vehicle Plus, launched in April 2026, featuring a 5.5-cubic-meter cargo capacity and one-ton payload with next-gen autonomous driving algorithms. The VAN autonomous light truck achieves L4 autonomy with 24 cubic meters of cargo space. The Zhìláng (Wisdom Wolf) goods-to-person system has achieved commercial deployment, delivering four times the efficiency of traditional equipment with 99.99% picking accuracy. The Fēiláng (Flying Wolf) drones, including the JDX20 and JDX50 models, serve both urban instant delivery and remote mountain transportation. JD.com has also unveiled its "Robot Industry Service Panorama" strategy, aiming to help robot brands achieve cumulative sales exceeding 10 billion yuan within the year. The company has built over 80 "robobase" training centers across China, retraining blue-collar workers for advanced technical roles in robot maintenance and repair. Founder Richard Liu (Liu Qiangdong) addressed automation-driven job displacement concerns in an internal speech on May 27, pledging that "not a single frontline employee displaced by machines will be laid off." JD.com's "Phoenix Project" aims to transition workers from repetitive physical labor to higher-skilled technical positions. The strategy faces financial headwinds. JD.com reported Q1 2026 revenue of 315.7 billion yuan (up 4.9% year-over-year) but operating profit fell 63.86% to 3.8 billion yuan. R&D, marketing, and administrative expenses all rose over 40%. The company now employs over 900,000 people across 183 job categories, including emerging roles like drone pilots and robot maintenance engineers. JD.com adopts a "verify internally before market launch" approach, deploying robots first in its own logistics network before commercial release, buying frontline workers valuable time for skills transition. Liu's ultimate vision positions JD.com as the "largest operator of the physical world," with a commitment that "20 years from now, JD.com will still be the company with the most employees in China."