wayve

DPD has partnered with AI tech firm Wayve and installed 360-degree cameras on its vans in London, as part of a pilot to increase the safety of its drivers and other road users.

The two companies are working together to find out how innovations in computer vision and machine learning can be applied to fleet delivery operations and enhance safety.

DPD said this involves deploying 50 of its vans in the capital fitted with 4G data collection devices, which provide a wraparound view of the vehicle during normal driving operations.

“DPD’s delivery fleet drove over 156 million miles in 2018, covering 96% of the UK road network on average, at least once a month,” said Max Glaister, DPD senior product manager. “Working with Wayve, we plan to use this data to improve insurance claim handling for vehicles on the road.”

This is not the first time DPD has allowed its vehicle to be used for data collection.

Earlier this year, the parcels firm said its fleet was being used as mobile air quality monitors in several cities, with sensors on vehicle roofs taking readings of PM2.5 fine particles, as part of a Europe-wide programme.