Evri Trials Two-Legged Delivery Robots in Barnsley

Evri has launched Europe's first trial of two-legged delivery robots in Barnsley, a move aimed at improving the efficiency of the final stage of package delivery. The wheeled bots, developed in partnership with Japanese firm Refined Robotics, began making real deliveries to Evri customers this morning.

These bipedal robots are designed to navigate challenging terrains, including stairs, which have been a persistent obstacle for traditional four-wheeled delivery robots. They can travel at speeds of up to four miles per hour, exit delivery vans, transport parcels weighing up to 33 pounds, and ascend stairs. Once the robot reaches the customer's door, recipients will be able to retrieve their packages directly.

Initially, the robots will operate autonomously using onboard sensors to navigate, but they will be remotely monitored during the trial period. Evri plans to evaluate the bots' performance in a real residential setting, with a decision on expanding the trial to other locations dependent on its success in Barnsley.

Refined Robotics CEO Nick Hafner stated that the inspiration for the delivery bots came from observing the difficulties delivery drivers face, particularly when carrying heavy items up stairs. He noted that despite advancements in autonomous technology, current robots and self-driving vehicles often cannot complete the entire journey from the delivery van to the customer's doorstep. Refined Robotics estimates that approximately 65% of delivery tasks still require human intervention for this final leg, which the company describes as the slowest, most costly, and riskiest part of the delivery operation.

Hafner added that the robot's ability to handle stairs, uneven surfaces, and outdoor environments makes it well-suited for real-world parcel delivery. Evri's trial will focus on assessing the robots' capacity to manage heavy lifting and stair climbing, tasks traditionally performed by human couriers.

Marcus Hunter, Chief Technology Officer at Evri Group, emphasized that the company's couriers remain central to its operations and that innovation is being explored to support them, enhance efficiency, and provide customers with greater choice and convenience. Evri expects the robots to complement existing delivery methods, such as direct courier delivery or collection from ParcelShops. The company also suggested the robots could assist with a second delivery attempt on the same day if the initial delivery was missed, or serve customers unable to access a ParcelShop.

This initiative follows previous attempts by companies to deploy delivery robots in the UK, some of which have encountered difficulties. Last year, the Co-op faced criticism for using Starship's six-wheeled robots for grocery deliveries, with campaigners citing safety concerns for pedestrians, particularly the elderly and disabled. Incidents, including a robot colliding with a dog and its owner, led to public concern. Additionally, Starship's pilot scheme with Uber Eats in Sheffield was discontinued after five months amid issues with vandalism and complaints that the robots obstructed pedestrian pathways.