JD.com's delivery service has officially launched an AI smart helmet, which will be freely distributed to full-time riders first and gradually opened to all riders. This helmet is equipped with an AI voice assistant, built-in "Single King Route" navigation, and can automatically interpret order notes, reminding riders in advance before delivery.
Three Core Scenarios: Hands-free in the Rain, Navigating Labyrinth-like Communities, Automatic Recognition of Notes
The AI smart helmet addresses the three most painful scenarios for delivery riders. To tackle the difficulty of using a phone in the rain, the helmet supports full-process voice interaction — riders just need to speak to complete tasks like accepting orders and calling users, keeping their hands on the handlebars at all times. Rider Xiao Zhang from Beijing fears "labyrinth-like communities," where building numbers are hidden behind trees and entrances are deep inside, making a trip take several minutes of circling. The "Single King Route" built into the helmet brings the experience of veteran riders' "living maps" into the algorithm, providing precise guidance through audio prompts such as "Go straight from the south gate, turn left at the white statue, and the second building is the destination."
Secondly, the helmet can recognize order notes — for example, mother Li Jie from Shanghai notes "the child is sleeping, please put it at the door" on every order, but often worries that riders might miss it. The AI helmet will proactively remind riders to check the note before delivering, ensuring no instruction is forgotten. In addition, the helmet is equipped with a "Merchant Environment Verification" feature, assisting riders in verifying the store environment when picking up food, and automatically marking any issues.
From receiving an order to completing the delivery, the entire workflow for delivery riders is being reconnected by AI. When the experience of veteran riders no longer relies on oral transmission between mentors and apprentices, but is directly embedded into each helmet, the most traditional food delivery is being quietly rewritten at its core logic.
