Evri is set to launch a trial of a robotic parcel hub in Paintworks, a pedestrianised community in Bristol, in partnership with spinout Collective Robotics.
The robotic parcel hub allows a courier to stop only once to unload an entire round of local parcels for a neighbourhood into the automated facility, saving time and fuel.
The robotic neighbourhood hub can accept multiple parcels in a single drop and uses AI and robotics to automatically identify, sort and store them without manual handling, unlike a traditional parcel locker or ParcelShop, where parcels are manually placed into storage locations.
The innovative storage system continually adapts to make the best use of available space, while intelligent software learns and improves over time, helping to create a more efficient and responsive parcel handling process.
The one week trial will look at how robotic neighbourhood parcel hubs could support final mile delivery, improve customer choice, convenience and control, and provide greater flexibility over how and when deliveries are received.
Evri said the hubs are designed to complement rather than replace its home delivery, ParcelShops, lockers, safe places and neighbour deliveries.
The company added that the trial supports its ambition to “provide delivery options that fit around customers’ lives, not the other way around.”
Paintworks has been chosen for the trial because of Bristol’s commitment to become a more sustainable city, with a clean air zone and the city of choice for previous e-cargo bike trials by Evri.
Adrian Berry, Evri group innovation delivery manager, said: “Technology should make life easier for customers, and that’s exactly what we’re looking to explore through this trial.
“Neighbourhood parcel hubs have the potential to bring parcels closer to consumers, giving them even greater choice, convenience and control over how they receive their deliveries.
“We’re already investing significantly in innovation across our network, and this trial is another example of how we’re testing new ideas that could help customers fit parcel deliveries around their lives.
“We’re excited to work with Collective Robotics to understand how this technology could complement our existing delivery, ParcelShop and locker network, and help shape the future of parcel delivery.
Prof. Sabine Hauert, Collective Robotics chief executive and co-founder, added: “Our aim at Collective Robotics is to develop technology that works for local communities, not simply technology that is placed in them.
“Working with Evri allows us to test our early prototype with real deliveries and learn from both couriers and our neighbours about what works and what we need to improve.”
