UK residents can now enjoy an autonomous robot delivery service with the DPD courier company.
DPD, the leading parcel brand in the United Kingdom, has begun its rollout of delivery service robots. DPD robots will soon be available across 10 UK cities within the next 12 months.
In July 2022, DPD laid its first chip of Cartken robots in Milton Keynes. The robotic venture completed 500 miles and 2,500 trips, delivering parcels to DPD customers.
Following this, DPD will deploy its robots to 30 UK depot locations. Moreover, this AI-powered technology will be the first of its kind, working on a purely vision-based system.
DPD will ensure a stable and safe delivery solution by enabling complete autonomy on footpaths using cameras. Stations have been deployed for advanced robotic delivery on the premises. For instance, its Warth Park depot will ensure delivery in the nearby residential areas using marked footpath tracks.
In the Raunds depot, the autonomous robot requires three separate parcel compartments, and the robots have a long battery life of up to 12 hours. Robots at the Raunds station are also equipped with an advance notification, dispatching the robot when it receives confirmation that the receiver is home.
DPD Promises a Sustainable Delivery Service
Councillor Graham Lawman, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel, and Assets, said: “We are delighted that DPD is introducing delivery robots in Raunds. The council is committed to the environment and supporting clean and green alternatives to traditional forms of transport to reduce emissions. It is great to be able to help bring this innovation to North Northamptonshire.”
Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability DPDgroup UK commented, “The trial in Milton Keynes has been a great victory for us. The robots have surpassed our expectations and the delivered feedback is quite positive. We can see people’s reactions when they greet these robots. We set out to understand the role that delivery robots could play in different UK locations and the trial has helped us identify more sites for further deploying of robots.
“Our aim is to be the UK’s most sustainable delivery company, bringing innovations and trying new things. We are on our way to decarbonizing our van fleet with EVs and we are also moving ahead by switching our HGVs to renewable biofuel. On the other hand, we are also interested in brand new solutions for a smooth transition to a smarter, more sustainable future.”
