FedEx unveils autonomous delivery robot

FedEx has revealed the FedEx SameDay Bot, an autonomous delivery device designed to make last-mile same-day deliveries.

The courier company joined forces with DEKA Development and Research Corp to develop the bot. It’s collaborating with Walgreens, Walmart, AutoZone, Target, Lowe’s and Pizza Hut to evaluate the need for autonomous delivery in the retail space.

According to FedEx, more than 60% of retailers’ customers live within three miles of a store, meaning there’s potentially a high demand where the bot can make itself useful, as retailers will be able to ship via bot directly to nearby customers.

Credit: FedEx

It will be able to deliver smaller shipments by travelling along pedestrian paths and roadsides, using pedestrian-safe technology to avoid collisions. FedEx days the bot is zero-emission and battery-powered.

“The FedEx SameDay Bot is an innovation designed to change the face of local delivery and help retailers efficiently address their customers’ rising expectations,” said Brie Carere, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at FedEx.

“The bot represents a milestone in our ongoing mission to solve the complexities and expense of same-day, last-mile delivery for the growing e-commerce market in a manner that is safe and environmentally friendly.”

Source: FedEx