Banma Network Technology, a project jointly established by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and SAIC Motor Corp Ltd., started a test of an automatized system at a service station operated by Royal Dutch Shell Plc. The statement published by China's major online retailer revealed the facility in Beijing enables drivers to select fuel and pay from a display in the car.
The technology includes detection of arrival to one of the spots and provides the solution for transactions without credit cards or even cellphones. The service also has orders for goods from within the unit, where the staff brings them to the vehicle.
Alibaba's AliOS, which uses geofencing, was implemented in the project. The first smart filling station is planned to be launched by mid-year, the press release says and adds the average time spent at the station would be cut in half with the technology upgrade.
