FedEx To Test Autonomous Delivery Robots Beginning Summer 2019
Mar 2, 2019
The multinational delivery services company s robots will deliver goods directly to customers homes
Phoenix, United States - March 1, 2019 /PressCable/ —
The last mile problem refers to the high cost of transporting goods from a store, warehouse or transportation depot to their final destinations consumers homes and apartments. This last leg is far and away the most expensive, oftentimes accounting for a quarter to half of total transportation costs. And if the delivery address happens to be in a busy urban area or a commercial zone, the delivery vehicle is likely to exacerbate congestion and potentially pose a risk to public safety.
In recognition of the continuing growth of the eCommerce industry and the fact that 60% of consumers live within three miles of most merchants physical stores, FedEx announced on Wednesday that it is collaborating with such partners as Walmart, Target, Lowe s, Walgreens, Autozone and Pizza Hut to assess the cost and feasibility of transporting goods the last leg of their journey via autonomous robots.
In developing its new delivery robot, FedEx teamed up with DEKA Development & Research Corp, which was founded by Dean Kamen, who invented the Segway two-wheeled personal transporter and the iBot stair-climbing wheelchair.
FedEx s same-day delivery robot is comprised of a white storage container riding on four wheels that enable the unit to maneuver over uneven ground and even to climb stairs. Multiple cameras will help the robot detect and avoid obstacles. The battery-powered device will travel up to 10 miles per hour on sidewalks and along roadsides and used to deliver small packages from retailers and hot meals from restaurants to residences and businesses.
Testing is expected to begin this summer in select markets, including Memphis, where FedEx is headquartered, pending city approval. Initial test deliveries will be between various FedEx Office locations in Memphis. FedEx Office currently offers SameDay City Courier services in 32 markets across the U.S.
Meanwhile, Amazon is testing its own autonomous delivery robot dubbed Scout. During the test, Amazon customers in Snohomish County, Washington can enjoy same-day delivery of qualified merchandise. During initial testing, Scout delivery units are being accompanied by Amazon employees.
This eCommerce industry news update is presented by Butcher Block Co. a leading online seller of wood countertops, kitchen islands, kitchen carts and cutting boards. The source of this article is https://butcherblockco.com/fedex-delivery-robots.
Contact Info:
Name: Kathleen Grodsky
Organization: Butcher Block Co.
Address: 10448 N 21st Pl Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix 85028, United States
Phone: +1-877-845-5597
Website: https://butcherblockco.com
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 487838
More News
Heading to France? Amid Recent Unrest, Here’s What to Know
Demonstrations are expected to continue this weekend in Paris and other French cities. Some museums and tourist sites will be closed, and visitors should expect a strong police presence.
A novel mRNA cancer vaccine helps cut the chances of melanoma tumor recurrence in major study
A first-of-its-kind cancer vaccine is significantly reducing the chances that melanoma patients' tumors come back, according to results of a major study released Thursday by drugmakers Moderna and Merck.
Visa Partners Singapore Tourism Board to Strengthen Singapore’s Global Destination Appeal
Visa, a global leader in digital payments and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Singapore’s appeal as a preferred travel destination and to unlock new growth opportunities. The collaboration will focus on three key pillars – driving discovery of Singapore’s tourism products, especially its dining and night-time experiences; deriving insights to identify high-value tourism opportunities; and developing co-branded marketing campaigns to build brand preference for both Visa and Singapore.
Inside the red-hot REM hotel in Macau – think revolving beds and dreamlike suites
Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s newest hotel, REM, opened this week to complete the ultra-luxury trio at the City of Dreams in Macau. Rebranded from the Countdown Hotel, which was the Hard Rock Hotel before that, the property sits alongside the Zaha Hadid-designed Morpheus and Asian-inspired Nuwa, positioning itself as the most exclusive of the three. REM stands for rapid eye movement, the phase of sleep during which “we have the most vivid dreams”, said Lawrence Ho Yau-lung, chairman and CEO of...
L.A. Affairs: Could I pull off a red bikini at 55? My husband's deep love helped me love myself
As a woman in her 50s living in youth-obsessed Los Angeles, I was well aware of my age. Thankfully, my husband still gazes at me with desire and love.
Is Trondheim the Nordics’ Coolest New Business Stop? Its Tastemakers Think So
From a floating sauna village to a ballroom restaurant, three local entrepreneurs reveal where to eat, unwind and make connections in Norway’s third city, and why its cooperative spirit makes it so rewarding to work in. The post Is Trondheim the Nordics’ Coolest New Business Stop? Its Tastemakers Think So appeared first on Business Traveller.
The Golden 50: These are the Best English Wines of 2026
From trophy-winning blanc de blancs to rare library releases, WineGB’s Golden 50 has gathered the top-scoring English wines across nine competitions. The post The Golden 50: These are the Best English Wines of 2026 appeared first on Business Traveller.
Prime Video K-drama Love in Disguise: Yim Si-wan, Seol In-ah lead gender-reversal romcom
Lead cast: Yim Si-wan, Seol In-ah, Kim Jung-hyun, Yeonwoo Latest Nielsen rating: 4.7 per cent In the romantic comedy Love in Disguise, Yim Si-wan plays a vain corporate heir suspected of murder who hires a new personal bodyguard, unaware that his protector is actually a female detective in disguise (played by Seol In-ah of Business Proposal). The series marks a return to more conventional K-drama fare for Yim, following his intense roles in the action film Mantis (2025) and the second and third...
Britain's best seaside towns for an autumn getaway, where you can enjoy quiet beaches, cosy pubs and proper fish and chips
Bracing coastal walks, characterful pubs and cosy bookshops - there are plenty of reasons to head to the coast even as autumn draws to a close.
Passenger Traffic Between Mexico and the Dominican Republic Grew 423% Since Arajet Began Operating
Four years after launching operations in Mexico, Arajet continues to strengthen its presence in this important market, achieving historic performance to date. This is reflected in the growth of total air passenger traffic between the two countries, which, according to data from the Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board (JAC), is projected to exceed 398,000 passengers by the end of 2026. This significant increase in passenger traffic represents 423% growth compared to the 76,049 passengers transported in 2022, the year the Dominican flag carrier began operations in Mexico.
All about Tate Madden, who revealed her baby’s gender with fiancé Tyler Cameron on DWTS
During his performance for “Dedication Night” on Dancing with the Stars, Tyler Cameron revealed that he and his fiancée Tate Madden are expecting their first child together. View this post on Instagram Cameron and his professional partner, Sharna Burgess, were joined on stage by Madden and the trio performed to Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers”. After their routine, Cameron and Madden also had a surprise gender reveal on stage – it’s a baby girl! Later, in...
How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to William Jackson Harper
Breakfast at Fred 62, hiking at Griffith Park and a vintage jacket shopping spree are on the agenda for the Emmy-nominated actor.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.