Evri is launching a one-week trial of a robotic neighborhood parcel hub in Paintworks, Bristol, in partnership with Bristol-based Collective Robotics.
The trial will explore how neighborhood parcel hubs could support last-mile delivery alongside Evri’s existing network of home delivery, ParcelShops and lockers. Evri said the trial will assess whether locating parcels closer to where people live can provide greater flexibility over how and when deliveries are received.
Paintworks was selected for the trial because it is a pedestrianized community with a clean air zone, and because it was previously the site of e-cargo bike trials by Evri. The company said Paintworks is representative of many modern residential developments, and the trial will assess how delivery hubs can support successful first-time delivery in similar environments across the UK.
Unlike a traditional parcel locker or ParcelShop, where parcels are manually placed into storage, the robotic hub can accept multiple parcels in a single drop before using AI and robotics to identify, sort and store them without manual handling. Evri said the system is designed to dynamically manage storage space and adapt to changing parcel volumes, to complement rather than replace its existing delivery network.
The trial forms part of Evri’s ongoing investment in innovation and customer experience, following previous expansion of its ParcelShop and locker network.
Adrian Berry, innovation delivery manager at Evri, said, “Technology should make life easier for customers, and that’s exactly what we’re looking to explore through this trial. Neighborhood 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 OBE, the CEO and co-founder of Collective Robotics, said, “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 neighbors about what works and what we need to improve.”
Evri said this trial involves its first prototype hub, with future versions expected to vary in shape and size depending on local community needs.
In related news, Evri to recruit 10,000 staff as it targets 1.4 billion parcels by 2030