DPD has become the first UK parcel delivery company to deploy Ottobot, a fully autonomous parcels delivery and collection robot.
Ottobot, which is produced by robotics specialist Ottonomy, is larger than DPD’s existing autonomous delivery robots. It and has a maximum payload of 70kg, as well as eight separate compartments that can carry parcel of varying sizes. It can also receive parcel collections.
The robot features four-wheel powered swerve drive with independent steering and suspension, whichthe manufacturer said provides maximum manoeuvrability.
Multiple sensors including light detection and ranging lidars and cameras, along with cutting-edge software enable the Ottobot to navigate the most complex environments autonomously.
DPD’s first locker robot will be deployed in Milton Keynes, where it has been operating autonomous robot deliveries successfully since July 2022.
The company has also been operating robot deliveries in Raunds, Bristol and Lincoln, since their successful launch in Milton Keynes..
The Ottobot will be based at DPD’s Milton Keynes depot in Knowlhill and will navigate the city’s traffic-free Redway network to access nearby residential neighbourhoods.
The additional compartments not only enable the robot to work more efficiently with up to eight separate deliveries each time it leaves the depot but can also accommodate larger parcels in two 38lt compartments.
Once the locker robots have completed the mapping process, they operate fully autonomously. DPD parcel recipients will receive an SMS when the robot is outside their property and can then use a secure one-time pin code to open the robot and access their parcel.
The robot battery lasts up to six hours with the ability to keep swapping the battery for a new fully charged one at the depot, to keep the robot on the road.
Tim Jones, DPDgroup UK director of marketing, communications and sustainability, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be deploying locker robots in the UK. This is the next chapter for us in terms of autonomous deliveries after a very successful roll-out across a number of different locations.
“It’s well over two years now since we began autonomous robot deliveries and the customer feedback continues to be incredibly positive. We’ve also learned a lot in terms of how best to deploy the technology and how to maximise the effectiveness of the robots day to day.
“Ottobot potentially gives us a massive uplift in terms of productivity, with the ability to deliver up to eight parcels at a time before the robot needs to return to the depot to be reloaded. As always when we invest in new innovation, we want to learn fast and try new things, so we will be looking at how Ottobot could double-up as an additional, mobile parcel drop-off point for customers.”
Ritukar Vijay, Ottonomy founder and chief executive, commented, “It is fantastic to see Ottobot deployed in the UK parcel delivery market. DPD is already well ahead of its competitors with its robot fleet and is well placed to maximise the full potential of Ottobot.
“Our autonomous robot technology is designed to help brands meet customers’ ever-changing demands in new ways and provide the scalability to be a truly effective solution.”
