Customers in Barnsley in the UK will now be able to receive their deliveries from two-legged robots as Evri launches Europe’s first trial of the technology in partnership with Japan-based Refined Robotics.
The trial will explore how advanced robotics can support couriers, enhance customer choice and help shape the future of parcel delivery. According to Evri, Barnsley was identified as a priority location for the trial owing to its status as the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town.
The two-legged robot has been designed specifically for outdoor last-mile deliveries. It can carry parcels weighing up to 15kg, travel at speeds of up to 6km/h and navigate real-world environments that can be challenging for traditional autonomous technologies, including climbing stairs, traversing uneven surfaces and entering and exiting delivery vans.
The robot can operate autonomously or be remotely monitored and is capable of both attended and unattended deliveries to help ensure consumers never miss a parcel. Throughout the trial, Evri will evaluate how the technology performs in residential environments and how it could support operational efficiency while maintaining the high levels of service customers expect.
Marcus Hunter, chief technology officer at Evri Group, said, “At Evri, we’re focused on giving customers more choice, convenience and control over how they receive their parcels. As the UK’s leading parcel delivery company for delivery choice, we’re continually exploring new technologies that can help us deliver even greater flexibility while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect.
“Launching Europe’s first trial of a two-legged delivery robot in Barnsley is an exciting milestone. Barnsley has built a reputation as a place where innovation thrives, and new technologies can be tested in real-world environments.
“Our couriers remain at the heart of our business. We’re committed to exploring how innovation can support them, improve operational efficiency and help us continue offering customers even more choice, convenience and control in the future.”
Nick Hafner, CEO at Refined Robotics, added, “Our two-legged delivery robot has been specifically designed to tackle some of the most complex challenges in last-mile logistics. Its ability to navigate stairs, uneven surfaces and outdoor environments makes it uniquely suited to supporting parcel delivery operations in real-world settings.
“We’re delighted to partner with Evri on Europe’s first trial of the technology and look forward to understanding how robotics can complement existing delivery networks and support the future of parcel delivery.”
Related news, Evri trials robotic parcel hub with Collective Robotics in Bristol