Evri Pilots Bipedal Delivery Robots in Barnsley

The robot, capable of carrying loads up to 15kg at speeds of 6km/h, is designed to support couriers in complex residential environments. By integrating the ability to enter delivery vans and traverse challenging terrain, the trial aims to evaluate how autonomous systems can enhance operational efficiency. Evri intends to monitor whether this technology ensures more reliable parcel delivery, focusing on both attended and unattended handovers to minimize missed shipments.

This deployment is part of a broader wave of retail technology shifts observed this week. Notably, Walmart has integrated OpenAI’s Virtual Try-On features to allow shoppers to visualize clothing on their own likenesses, while Morrisons is piloting temperature-controlled Click & Collect lockers at its Skipton store. Meanwhile, Lidl is upgrading its network with self-checkout screens that display live footage to customers, and H&M has overhauled its search engine to prioritize intent-driven results, reporting a 30% reduction in search exits.