SF Express deploys robotics at Chengdu hub to manage Singles' Day surge
SF Express has integrated robotic arms and automated sorting systems at its Chengdu Changxing facility to handle increased parcel volumes during the upcoming Singles' Day shopping season.
SF Express has commissioned eight robotic arms at its Chengdu Changxing transit hub, capable of processing 1,700 parcels per hour with a 95 percent accuracy rate. The move is part of a broader technological initiative to manage the surge in logistics volume during the annual ”Double 11” e-commerce festival, where daily outbound traffic is projected to rise from 1.5 million to 2 million parcels.
In addition to the robotic arms, the center has deployed a large-scale ”Whirlwind Sorter” capable of processing 16,000 parcels hourly—a workload equivalent to more than 20 manual sorters. The facility’s infrastructure also includes an automated chute sorter and a fleet of 30 unmanned forklifts, which move at 1.5 meters per second to facilitate internal pallet transfers.
These upgrades are intended to bolster operational efficiency during the peak season. Beyond hardware implementation, the company has also increased its workforce and optimized transport capacity to maintain logistics performance throughout the high-demand period.