Alibaba transfers self-driving research team as revamp accelerates

Unit shifts to Cainiao logistics arm as part of sweeping overhaul

20230517 Caixin Alibaba

Alibaba Group's DAMO Academy in 2020 released its Xiaomanlv unmanned logistics vehicles, which Cainiao has used for last-mile delivery.

BAO YUNHONG, ZHANG ERCHI and HAN WEI, Caixin

Alibaba Group has transferred its autonomous driving research team under the DAMO Academy to its logistics arm, Cainiao Network Technology, as part of a sweeping business revamp kicked off earlier this year, Cainiao confirmed Tuesday with Caixin.

Some staffers from the DAMO Academy's autonomous driving business will be transferred to Cainiao, while others will be allocated to other Alibaba units, DAMO Academy told Caixin. "There will be personnel optimization as the business adjusts, but reports saying 70% of the staffers will be laid off are not true," it said in a statement to Caixin.

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