Delivery giant DPD is to start running autonomous robot deliveries, providing a new sustainable, autonomous final-mile solution that could replace traditional delivery vans.   

Once they have learned the routes, the AI-powered robots can then find their way to delivery addresses fully autonomously

It’s teamed up with AI-powered robotics and last mile delivery firm Cartken to deploy the DPD-branded robots (see footage here) in two Milton Keynes neighbourhoods.  

After ‘learning’ the routes, the AI-powered robots can then find their way to delivery addresses fully autonomously. DPD parcel recipients will be notified of a robot delivery in advance, and once they confirm that they are at home to accept the parcel, the robot will be dispatched.   

Customers can track the robot’s progress on a map and will be notified when it reaches their property. They then use a code to open the secure compartment and access their parcel.  

Cartken’s level 4 autonomy and navigation tech is already being used by Mitsubishi in Japan and leading food delivery company GrubHub in the United States. If the DPD trials in Milton Keynes are successful, the tech will be rolled out across the city. 

Elaine Kerr, DPD UK CEO, said: “This is a really important trial for us. We want to understand the role that delivery robots could play in certain locations in the UK.  They are a sustainable solution, and we genuinely want to find out if they could help us take vans off the road in future. 

“The technology is proven and, with the DPD branding, they look fantastic. The public’s response to our EV fleet has been amazing, so I am confident these smart robots will be embraced by customers as part of the way forward.” 

But she added that DPD wasn’t planning to completely replace its delivery drivers anytime soon.   

“We wouldn’t want to. The service they provide is fantastic. But at DPD we’ve always led the way on innovation and investment in our network and this is the next logical step in terms of evolving delivery solutions and working towards our aim of being the UK’s most sustainable delivery company.” 

It’s the latest in a line of green initiatives from DPD. The firm has already announced plans to have over 3,000 electric vehicles on the road in the UK this year and 5,000 by 2023, when it will be delivering to 30 towns and cities on all-electric vehicles.