Parcel delivery company DPD has confirmed plans to launch autonomous robot deliveries in Lincoln as part of a nationwide rollout that could see up to 30 UK depots operating robots in their locality.
The company first introduced robots in Milton Keynes in July 2022, and they are now also delivering parcels to DPD customers in Raunds and Bristol with more locations to follow this year.
Based at DPD’s Lincoln depot at St Modwens Park, the robots will deliver to the nearby village of Witham St Hughs, via an existing network of footpaths.
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The robots, which have a battery life of up to 12 hours and can deliver within a mile radius of the depot, operate autonomously once they have completed the mapping process, during which the robot is fully supervised and controlled by remote control.
DPD parcel recipients in Witham St Hughs will receive an SMS when the robot is outside their property and can then use a secure one-time pin code to open the robot and access their parcel.
Once the compartment is closed, the robot will either continue to its next delivery or return to the depot. The robots can complete up to 30 deliveries a day.
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DPD worked with Lincolnshire County Council on the introduction of the robots in Witham St Hughs.
Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability DPD UK, said: “The robots have exceeded our expectations in terms of their effectiveness and the feedback from parcel recipients has been fantastic.
“The robots have proven themselves in a range of different locations, and having started out as a trial, we have now identified up to 30 depots where they could operate very successfully.”
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