Meituan maps out high-tech way ahead

Meituan, China's leading online food delivery-to-ride hailing firm, is joining a group of tech giants including Alibaba Group in developing a high-precision map, a trump card for them to drive unmanned services, and also a supplement to their core businesses.

A former Meituan employee who asked to remain anonymous told China Daily that it has been more than one year since the firm has started to develop map services.

"The map service is taken by the company as a tool in ramping up efforts in self-driving deliveries. It will also be a great supplement to Meituan's other businesses including food delivery, ride-hailing and shared bikes," he said, adding that the team still remains small with only several dozens of people.