As part of an April Fool’s campaign, Evri announced a new robotic delivery dog service for the final mile. The parcel delivery firm has now confirmed that the autonomous dog was not a prank, and will be trialled later this year.
In a UK first, the “four-legged” robotic system will work in partnership with a courier to deliver parcels in a trial set for summer 2025. Sophisticated automation allows the robot dog to hop in and out of the courier’s van, as it makes its way to and from homes delivering parcels and taking some of the leg work out for the courier.
Marcus Hunter, chief technology officer at Evri, said: “Couriers always have and always will be the heart of our business. Robots will never replace them, but we are dedicated to finding new and innovative methods to support our couriers and increase the speed and convenience of the services we offer.
“In this next stage of innovation, we are thrilled to introduce both these robot delivery trials, which could provide increased flexibility and choice for consumers.”
The autonomous canine has been developed by RIVR, a Swiss global innovation leader in physical AI. In partnership with Evri, the focus of the trial is to gain insight into how the robot dogs can work with couriers to improve efficiency support with some of the more strenuous parts of the job.
The robot dog trial is just one of several robot trials Evri is conducting as it looks to the future of parcel delivery, with the goal of providing a helping paw to couriers and developing solutions that will complement its delivery offering alongside couriers.
Operating out of Barnsley Business Innovation Centre, a small and light EV robot, developed by Delivers AI, will also soon be out daily delivering parcels with the support of the local courier.
This summer, residents on a chosen streets in Barnsley will have the option to have all their parcels delivered by these robots for the three-month trial. Residents will have the option to sign up for the trial via a dedicated website.
These robots can be deployed 24 hours a day, allowing for nighttime deliveries for consumers on different schedules, or more on-demand services with designated time slots for consumers. The robots can also be used to support consumers who need more time to get to the door. Evri expects to uncover unexpected benefits as part of the trial.
Additionally, Evri will be taking the robot into local schools to demonstrate its capabilities to young children and give them the chance to name the robot.
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