Hong Kong unveils first unmanned warehouse at Science Park

RobEx offers express courier and self-service storage.

Hong Kong has opened its first unmanned warehouse center named RobEx at Hong Kong Science Park on a one-month trial basis in a boost to the local logistics sector.

Also read: Alibaba's Cainiao to invest US$1.53b in Hong Kong logistics center

Spanning about 210 sqm, the center provides courier and self-service storage to customers using robot technology, facial recognition and big data technologies.

The system was designed by RV Automation Technology Company in partnership with Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporation.

The firms are working with different logistics companies and e-commerce platforms in the city so that users can handle different types of mailing in one place, RV Automation Chief Executive Officer Rio Chau told local media, adding that another smart warehouse is set to open in Kowloon by October.  

RobEx will be open to the public by September after the one month trial run has passed. 

A slew of tech companies seeking facilities for their operations boosted industrial leasing activity in the first half of the year, according to real estate consultant CBRE, with data center operators leasing a combined 344,000 sqft in Shatin in H1 2018. 

The awarding of two logistics sites on Siu Leng Shui Road in Tuen Mun and at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for building smart logistics and e-commerce operations also highlighted strong demand for tech-enabled industrial space, said Samuel Lai, senior director, advisory & transaction services – industrial, CBRE Hong Kong.

Photo from Wpcpey - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0