A self-driving robot delivery van had the latest AI technology - but still struggled with a bumpy dirt road in China.

The orange, box-shaped vehicle jolted violently over the uneven pathway in front of a cyclist in Shandong.

The unmanned electric vehicle, operated by DiDi's delivery service, then halted mid-ride with its red hazard lights blinking while an automated AI voice was playing on August 25.

Moments later, the four-wheeler continued along the road, moving at a much slower pace while still bouncing slightly over the rough terrain.

In recent months, reports of mishaps involving unmanned delivery vans and robotaxis have risen across the country, raising concerns about whether the technology is ready for widespread use on public roads.

Experts said that autonomous vehicles still face major hurdles such as sensor blind spots, complex urban traffic conditions, and challenges posed by poor weather or unfinished infrastructure.

Technology professor Yang Ruigang said: 'We humans can tolerate human errors, but our tolerance for autonomous systems is much lower.'

On August 27, another self-driving robot truck was filmed driving across a road under construction in Hubei.

Earlier this month, a Baidu Apollo Go robotaxi carrying a passenger plunged into a deep construction pit in Chongqing.

Despite warning signs and barriers, the vehicle reportedly bypassed them before falling in. The passenger was later rescued unharmed by local residents using a ladder.