Umbrellas have become the latest trend in China's rapidly developing sharing economy, following bikes and cars.
In Shenzhen, Guangdong province, 500 umbrellas have been placed along roads near major bus and metro stations, as well as at shopping malls, according to local media.
Similar to shared bikes, users can unlock an umbrella by scanning a QR code and entering a password. Users need to pay a 19 yuan ($3) deposit, and the rental fee is 1 yuan an hour.
Each umbrella has a small pocket containing a piece of paper for users to write messages, according to reports.
The shared umbrellas have met with a mixed response.
"It's useful for working people if they forget to take an umbrella and are in a hurry to get to the office," said Chen Kejia, an architect in Nanshan district. "It will help save time."
But others have expressed concern over management.
"As the deposit is even lower than the price of an umbrella, how do they plan to stop people from keeping them?" asked Kang Xiaoxia, 31. "Regulations are needed before the system can be widely applied."
