Evri has launched a trial of two-legged autonomous robot delivery workers in a UK town. The British delivery company, headquartered in Leeds, says the trial in Barnsley is the first of its kind in Europe, bringing next-generation robotics technology to the town.
Partnership with Refined Robotics
The pilot, a partnership with Japan-based Refined Robotics, will explore how advanced robotics can support couriers, enhance customer choice and help shape the future of parcel delivery, the firm said.
Earlier this year, Barnsley was named by the Government as the UK's first Tech Town, with local schools and college, businesses, NHS and more getting bespoke government support to unleash opportunities of AI, according to the GOV.UK website.
Barnsley as a priority location
Evri said that with the UK having the third largest ecommerce market in the world after China and the US, Barnsley, with its status as a focus for AI integration, has been identified as a priority location to demonstrate the tech.
The company says the trial will evaluate how advanced robotics could complement its existing delivery network, as well as how the technology performs in residential environments.
Robot capabilities
The two-legged machines involved were designed specifically for outdoor last-mile deliveries. According to Evri, they are capable of carrying parcels of up to 15kg and travelling at speeds of up to 6km/h (around 3.7mph).
They are also built to navigate real-world environments that can be challenging for traditional autonomous technologies, including climbing stairs, traversing uneven surfaces and entering and exiting delivery vans, it adds. They are able to operate autonomously or be monitored remotely, and can deliver whether the recipient is in or not.
Company statements
Marcus Hunter, Chief Technology Officer at Evri Group, said: "At Evri, we're focused on giving customers more choice, convenience and control over how they receive their parcels."
"As the UK's leading parcel delivery company for delivery choice, we're continually exploring new technologies that can help us deliver even greater flexibility while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect. Launching Europe's first trial of a two-legged delivery robot in Barnsley is an exciting milestone."
Nick Hafner, CEO at Refined Robotics, said: "Our two-legged delivery robot has been specifically designed to tackle some of the most complex challenges in last-mile logistics."
"Its ability to navigate stairs, uneven surfaces and outdoor environments makes it uniquely suited to supporting parcel delivery operations in real-world settings. We're delighted to partner with Evri on Europe's first trial of the technology and look forward to understanding how robotics can complement existing delivery networks and support the future of parcel delivery."
