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A self-driving logistics vehicle produced by UISEE Technology Co Ltd is the first to operate entirely without supervision in China. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfb001]

The added value of artificial intelligence (AI) companies above designated size in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, reached 5.74 billion yuan ($819.92 million) in the first five months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 39.5 percent, Jiaxing Daily recently reported.

The two figures both rank second in Zhejiang.

A self-driving logistics vehicle produced by UISEE Technology Co Ltd is the first to operate entirely without supervision in China, and UISEE has now put driverless technology into mass-scale application.

Last December, the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) purchased UISEE's driverless vehicle to deliver luggage and cargo. They are expected to replace the 1,000 manned logistics vehicles, according to Xie Nengneng, engineer of UISEE.

"HKIA is one of the busiest airports in the world and requires a strong transportation network," said Xie, who added that the company's self-developed driverless vehicle can greatly alleviate transportation pressure by operating around the clock and reducing costs.

UISEE's products have also been used at factories and wharfs.

"Our revenue saw a threefold increase in the first four months of this year," Xie noted, "Next, we will commercialize more safe and reliable technologies to seize business opportunities brought about by AI technologies."

The AI industry has become one of five strategic emerging industries in Jiaxing, with the other four being integrated circuits, hydrogen energy sources, aerospace, and life health. The local government has introduced favorable policies to boost the development of these industries.

A maximum of $1.43 million in subsidies will be given to the demonstration zones of the five emerging industries, and financial rewards will be given to manufacturers in these five industries whose annual revenue surpasses 100 million yuan for the first time.