Autonomous delivery solutions: Where are we at and what can we expect?

Innovation 16 December 2024

Autonomous delivery takes centre stage

A recent BBC article caught my eye – it featured an innovative sight-loss charity in the UK training guide dogs to interact with autonomous delivery vehicles. This story shows, in a very tangible manner, how far we have advanced and where this technology stands today.

I believe that there's still room for growth before autonomous delivery options can interact flawlessly with every type of customer in every circumstance – for example, a delivery robot that can climb stairs to deliver packages to wheelchair-bound clients. I do find it incredibly inspiring, however, to see the tech become so widespread that organisations such as The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association are already preparing humans and canines to coexist with this emerging technology.

This trend is clearly here to stay. According to research lead by Business Insider, the market size for automated delivery technologies, including autonomous delivery vehicles, drone deliveries, and delivery robots, is projected to reach $665 billion (about $2,000 per person in the US) by 2030, representing up to 20% of the package delivery industry . We need to get ready for this wave!

Despite their prevalence in major cities across Asia and the United States ౼ such as Seoul, Tokyo and San Francisco ౼ AVs might still feel like a futuristic concept for some customers. However, thanks in large part to social media, we’re entering an era where everyone's at least aware this helpful technology exists, even if they haven't had one roll up to their doorstep yet!

We’re entering an era where everyone's at least aware this helpful technology exists.

The various types of autonomous delivery solutions

So, what exactly is autonomous delivery? There are two main categories. The first involves actual vehicles that navigate autonomously on major roadways. Due to the inherent risks associated with speed, distance and potential accidents, it is still generally necessary to have a manned vehicle drive alongside these autonomous vehicles (AV) for safety reasons. With this in mind, they are significantly less common and are still undergoing rigorous testing before a major roll out is possible.

On the other hand, we have autonomous delivery robots (ADR) used for kerbside deliveries. These little robots are dispatched from depots in urban areas and can typically carry up to eight parcels at a time. A typical ADR is equipped with sensors and cameras used primarily for micro navigation ౼ meaning they can navigate smoothly and safely, spotting everything from pedestrians, obstacles and even cars a block away. LIDAR sensors use light pulses to map surroundings and create a 3D point cloud of the environment while RADAR sensors send out radio waves, bouncing them off objects to figure out how far away they are.

They also have GPS sensors and cameras, which feed location and visual information back to the depot as well. Together these technologies make it possible for a robot delivery system to make safe deliveries and communicate essential data back to the depot.

 

Autonomous delivery at Geopost

At Geopost, our open innovation model has us teaming up with strategic innovation partners, including the tech masterminds at Cartken and Ottonomy.io. In partnership with Cartken, we launched Evie, our first autonomous delivery robot (ADR). Depending on the type of environment, Evie can reach a high level of autonomy, which means that if an Evie delivery robot needs to cross the street, it will find the pavement and wait for the walk signal. On rare occasions, for example when a stop light is damaged or broken, Evie will park in a safe spot and wait for a human to take control.

In partnership with Cartken, we launched Evie, our first autonomous delivery robot.

I would say that the most exciting part of this technology is that we’re only getting started! At VivaTech internal innovation exhibit, Geopost unveiled our second-generation ADR. We like to think of it as Evie's older sibling because it can carry up to eight parcels. What’s even more exciting is that this new generation opens the door to a new service ౼ and a leading industry feature!

In the mornings this new generation of ADR can focus on parcel delivery just like Evie. But in the afternoons, it will load up once again and park somewhere convenient in the neighbourhood and serve as a mobile parcel locker. Not only can customers pick up packages, but soon, they will (for the very first time!) be able to drop off packages at this travelling locker as well.

 

The advantages of autonomous delivery solutions

All in all, these autonomous delivery robots (ADR) deliver numerous advantages. This technology effectively removes several pain points ౼ for customers and businesses alike. For example, a delivery robot can work longer hours ౼ which meets the modern consumer’s need-it-now expectations without requiring human delivery specialists to work overnight. ADRs are also programmed to wait up to 10-15 minutes by default and with the possibility of extending that time, which can be a major plus for elderly customers or those with disabilities who may need more time to get to their front door.

Our customer interface also gives clients the option to request a human delivery specialist if they are not able to make it down the stairs or simply signal that they will take longer to get to the door so that the delivery robot, or person, knows to wait a bit longer.

We have been integrating this technology into our services for the past few years and it’s really starting to take off. Although the technology is still in an early roll-out stage, it’s growing and advancing every day as we gather more data. In fact, we’re seeing the most innovation in the ADR field because it’s just easier terrain to gather data, test and learn with minimal risk.

Not only can customers pick up packages, but soon, they will (for the very first time!) be able to drop off packages at this travelling locker as well.

 

Looking ahead to the future of delivery

When imagining the future of delivery, filled with autonomous and more cost-effective solutions, a common-sense question often arises: Will these technologies reduce manpower or serve as effective support for the workforce? This is an important question, and one we haven’t taken lightly. Based on our current analysis, it makes perfect sense to me that these delivery robots will primarily enhance organisational capabilities rather than eliminate jobs. They act as complementary tools to boost productivity and extend operational reach.

Will these technologies reduce manpower or serve as effective support for the workforce?

This is a very interesting question, and the answer is “innovation will not cut jobs, it creates something new”. In fact, what we're seeing here is similar to the impact of AI: new technologies disrupt, which can be unsettling, but they also create new ways of working, where experts take a new role of supervising a combined organisation, eventually leading to new skill requirements and job opportunities.

Today, autonomous solutions are being used to navigate pedestrian zones, densely populated areas and parking-restricted spaces more efficiently. These innovations contribute to a comprehensive and efficient delivery system that integrates a variety of methods, including vans, cargo bikes and autonomous delivery vehicles. The common thread among these solutions is a commitment to low emission delivery.

I for one am excited to see how this market will develop in the coming years. What will the future of last mile delivery look like? Where will we start seeing delivery robots popping up to alleviate some of the more tedious tasks? In your neighbourhood? On university campuses? One thing is certain: if you haven’t already interacted with one of these robots, it’s really just a matter of time. So, get your phones ready for that selfie!