Neolix’s inventories have been depleted during the epidemic as its vehicles have been used to deliver medical supplies in hospitals, including in Wuhan, at the outbreak’s epicentre. Its vans are also being used to help disinfect streets and move food to people who are working on the front lines to curb the spread of the virus, Yu said.

“Demand has been surging since the virus outbreak and more importantly, people’s perception toward driverless delivery had a complete 180-degree shift,” Yu said. “People realise that such vehicles can get things done when it is risky for a human being to do so.”

Could the coronavirus outbreak speed up the development of robo-deliveries?

Billionaire Jack Ma three years ago forecast China would have one billion deliveries a day within a decade and that commercialisation of driverless-courier technology could provide lessons for autonomous vehicles carrying passengers. Yet there have been restrictions for such vehicles to be used on open roads. During the unprecedented virus outbreak, regulatory barriers are being eased, as roads are empty.

“China’s digital services economy has prospered during the crisis as people shifted to online consumption,” said Bill Russo, CEO of consulting firm Automobility. “This will accelerate the commercialisation of autonomous service delivery solutions. Neolix and others stand to benefit.”

Local authorities in China are offering incentives to fund purchase and operation of driverless delivery vans in their jurisdictions for up to 60 per cent of the tag price, according to Yu. The government subsidies will speed up promotion of the vehicles, according to the company, which expects to sell 1,000 units this year.

“The industry has entered into a fast expansion phase because of the virus,” Yu said.

The development of autonomous vans is accelerating not only in China. Delivery robot company Nuro, Neolix’s rival in the US, won the first federal safety approval for a purpose-built, self-driving vehicle last month, paving the way for its plans to deliver groceries autonomously in neighbourhoods. The approval, valid for two years, indicates that regulators at the Department of Transportation think specially built robot cars can start taking to the roads in the US

“It is great advancement for all companies developing such delivery vehicles,” Yu said.

It’s almost 2020. Where are all the driverless cars?

Yet some industry observers are more cautious about the near-term prospects. China’s relatively low labour costs may undermine promotion of autonomous delivery for some time, said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, who sees the current demand as temporary.

Russo, the consultant, said he thinks the order uptick for companies like Neolix will translate to future demand as well.

“New habits are formed and new capabilities are needed,” Russo said. “The consumption pattern has shifted and this will likely be viewed as an essential set of capabilities in the new normal, post-coronavirus world.”

Alibaba is the parent company of the South China Morning Post.