China's largest property developer Vanke is developing driverless cars and other robots in response, they say, to labor shortages.

The company says its autonomous patrol car has now finished testing.

Vanke's Zhang Jinming says unlike Google's driverless cars which run on public roads, their models aim to transport people within an enclosed compound.

"We hope it can also solve issues that come along with normal cars. First of all, it is safer. It will not cause accidents that are due to human errors, such as having drivers who are drunk or sleepy. Secondly, it can save labor costs. We hope it can become the future of transportation in housing estates."

Zhang added that the car is fuelled by solar panels and one charge is sufficient for a full day of use.

Meanwhile, the company is also planning to introduce a floor-sweeping robot later this month.

Vanke is also due to open a robot-staffed hotel in Shenzhen in 2017.

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