Parcel locker specialists, Estonia based Cleveron has unveiled an autonomous last mile delivery robot. This is the first last mile delivery robot to be granted a license to operate on Estonia’s public streets. Cleveron is set to start mass producing them from 2023.
The Cleveron 701 will have a radius of half an hour from a fulfilment centre and can operate in low traffic areas. Up to 10 vehicles can be supervised by one operator.
A number of modifications can be made to the basic machine including adding a temperature controlled section, as well as being set up as an ice cream truck, mobile coffee machine or just a parcel delivery robot.
“We are very proud to announce Cleveron’s latest innovation in the autonomous delivery vehicle market. With our new driverless semi-autonomous vehicle, we are enabling retailers and logistics companies to solve complex and costly last-mile delivery challenges while satisfying consumer demand for same-day and, in some cases, same-hour deliveries,” said Cleveron’s CEO Arno Kütt. “Since Cleveron received the first license in Europe to test drive an unmanned vehicle on the streets of Estonia last year without restrictions, we have been amazed at how easily Cleveron 701 has become an organic part of city life. What’s more, consumers can get groceries, parcels, restaurant deliveries or even ice cream from an environmentally friendly delivery robot.”
Cleveron specialises in parcel lockers and grocery kiosks so an autonomous delivery robot is an entirely new direction. Kutt explained, “We are used to building robots where you can go and pick up your parcel within seconds. It is still the future for click and collect, but for us, we wanted to expand even further. Online shopping growth has turned e-commerce into just commerce. It is a natural part of shopping. But the delivery times and costs still present a problem, especially with groceries. Consumers want speed and convenience, but it comes with a cost. With driverless delivery, you can cut the last-mile labor cost. There will also be fewer failed deliveries, since the 701 can be deployed from the local dark store quickly.”
