Evri trials a two-legged delivery robot in the UK, and it can get up stairs
Would you let a robot deliver your latest internet order? It's now a possibility for the people of Barnsley.
British delivery company Evri is testing a two-legged delivery robot in Barnsley, the UK's first official Tech Town. The robot, developed in partnership with Japanese firm Refined Robotics, can navigate around obstacles and even climb stairs. It is designed to support couriers instead of replacing them and can move at a speed of up to 6 kph (3.7 mph) while carrying parcels weighing up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds).
Unlike traditional delivery robots, this bipedal machine can traverse uneven surfaces and even enter and exit delivery vans. The robot can be controlled remotely or operate autonomously, and can drop off parcels whether the recipient is present or not. Evri's Chief Technology Officer, Marcus Hunter, explains that the robot aims to provide customers with more choice, convenience, and control over their parcel deliveries.
The robot is currently being tested with fashion parcels, as the BBC reports, to avoid any potential damage from falls. Evri will evaluate the trial to determine the robot's effectiveness in addressing last-mile logistics challenges and how it can best support both customers and couriers.
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