Stair-climbing robot is hitting streets in FedEx delivery test

Call it R2-D2 without the attitude.

FedEx Corp. envisions a not-too-distant future in which it relies on Star Wars-style robots for more deliveries, as portrayed in a company video. Imagine a box-shaped bot that can roll out of a neighborhood pharmacy and drop off prescription medicine at a nearby house.

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The courier is ready to begin testing a 4-foot, 2-inch tall delivery robot in Memphis, Tennessee, and two other cities as early as this summer. The battery-powered bot travels at 10 miles an hour, has a range of eight miles and can navigate streets, sidewalks, curbs, potholes, dodge pedestrians and even take the steps up to a home’s front door.

While airborne drone deliveries — and all the technological and regulatory hurdles they entail — are getting most of the attention these days, FedEx believes it has an option for same-day ground service that’s ready to go.

Six major retailers, including Walmart Inc., Target Corp., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Lowe’s Cos., have signed on to try out the six-wheeled contraption, said Brie Carere, FedEx’s marketing chief.

“Right now in the market, nobody does this effectively,” Carere said. “This device is way more cost efficient than sending a full-sized truck or even a full-sized car. It’s also safer and more environmentally friendly.”

Traffic congestion

The demands of e-commerce shoppers are pushing retailers to compete for speedier delivery, which is driving up costs to hire drivers and buy and maintain vehicles while creating more traffic on busy city streets. Costs and congestion will only increase as internet purchases, which make up about 14% of overall retail sales, continue to surge.

Robots are one solution. Amazon.com Inc. in January announced a trial of a delivery robot that resembles an ice chest on wheels that rolls along sidewalks and can adjust for obstacles such as people and pets.

Startups, including Kiwi and Starship Technologies, are using similar gadgets for college-campus deliveries. Savioke Inc. has developed a robot to deliver items to hotel rooms. A Los Angeles Sheraton hotel is sending guests’ luggage to rooms using robots made by Aethon Inc.

FedEx developed its mobile robot with the help of Deka Research & Development Corp., the group founded by inventor Dean Kamen that produced the Segway scooter. The platform for the device is Deka’s iBot, a motorized wheelchair that is capable of climbing stairs and has more than 10 million miles of operation by users.

‘Excuse me, please’

The FedEx robot will be able to carry packages as heavy as 100 pounds and will use machine learning to calculate the optimal route to a delivery destination. It’s equipped with sensors and cameras to help it find its way and avoid obstacles. The robot will signal to pedestrians, cyclists or motorists when it’s turning or stopping. If needed, it can even talk to people it encounters via speakers operated by a FedEx employee who will monitor the robots remotely, Carere said.

The device weighs about 200 pounds and can run two hours on a single charge. FedEx declined to discuss the price of the robot, the delivery cost, or the potential volume the bots could handle. The company hasn’t announced the two other test cities yet.

Once the robot arrives at a home or business, the person receiving the package would use a code sent to their mobile device to open the robot’s compartment. The automated vehicle would be able to pick up merchandise for return as well. Initial tests will be done from FedEx Office locations, though retailers are interested because 60% of their customers on average live within three miles of a store location, FedEx said.

“We’re excited to be collaborating with FedEx to explore how autonomous robots could enhance delivery services and more, ensuring we continue to exceed our guests’ expectations for ease and convenience,” said John Mulligan, Target’s chief operating officer, in a FedEx statement.

Related: Big tech is throwing money and talent at robots for the home

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