In what it states is a UK industry first, Evri is carrying out deliveries by robotic dog in a two-week trial in the UK city of Leeds.
Milo the robot dog, which has been developed by Swiss physical AI specialist RIVR, will carry parcels and “hop in and out of the delivery van”, reducing the leg work required of the courier. Parcels will be loaded by the courier onto the dog and then gently taken from the dog’s ‘mouth’ at the destination.
Powered by general physical AI, the robot leverages simulation and real-world data to power its next-gen intelligence. Equipped with cameras, lidar and advanced perception systems, it can navigate safely around obstacles such as pedestrians, cyclists or wheelie bins, and can stop instantly in emergencies.
It is hoped that the project will deliver insights into how the robotic dog could be used in collaboration with human delivery workers to improve efficiency and provide support with some of the more strenuous parts of the job.
Marcus Hunter, chief technology officer at Evri, said, “Couriers always have and always will be the heart of our business. Robots will never replace them, but we are dedicated to finding new and innovative methods to support our couriers and increase the speed and convenience of the services we offer. In this next stage of innovation, we are thrilled to introduce Milo the robotic delivery dog and we’re excited to see the trial get underway and see what we learn.”
Marko Bjelonic, CEO of RIVR, said, “This deployment marks a major milestone – not just for RIVR and Evri, but for the future of last-mile delivery in the UK. By bringing autonomous doorstep delivery robots into live operations, we’re demonstrating how technology can ease the burden on couriers, enhance delivery efficiency and raise the bar for customer experience.”
In related news, international logistics and cross-border e-commerce solutions provider Spring GDS has announced a six-figure investment in artificial intelligence (AI) tools, training and projects across its European operations. Read the full story here