Delivery: Evri brings new special robot deliveries trial to Yorkshire town - how to get your parcels delivered
Residents can track, schedule, and collect their parcels from a small, autonomous robot 📦
- Evri and Delivers.AI are trialling autonomous robot deliveries in Redbrook, Barnsley
- Residents can opt in to receive parcels via robot and choose convenient delivery times
- The robots are electric, weatherproof, 24/7, and accessible for wheelchair users
- Parcels can be tracked in real time, and the robot is unlocked via a secure SMS link
- The trial will inform potential future expansion of robot deliveries across Yorkshire
If you live in one Yorkshire town, you could soon be receiving parcels from a very unusual postie.
One of the UK’s leading parcel delivery companies has teamed up with Delivers.AI to launch a three-month pilot that will see small, autonomous robots bring packages to the doors of residents in Redbrook, Barnsley.
Evri says the droids are the latest innovation in “final mile” delivery, offering residents a glimpse of the future of getting parcels to your door.
The trial aims to explore how robotic deliveries can complement human couriers, making it easier and more convenient for people to receive packages.
It follows a similar scheme run last year, in which robot “dogs” were used to deliver packages in Leeds.
How the robot delivery works
Eligible residents will have the opportunity to opt in and receive all their deliveries via robot during the trial period.
Once a parcel delivery is scheduled, customers receive a booking link by SMS. This allows them to choose a delivery time that suits their schedule.
When it’s time, the parcel is loaded into the robot, which then travels autonomously to the customer’s address. You can track the robot in real time via an online map, and when it arrives, a secure SMS link unlocks its lid so you can collect your parcel.
If no one is home, the robot returns the parcel to the depot for redelivery by a human courier.
Designed with accessibility and practicality in mind, the robots are 80cm tall, making them reachable for wheelchair users. They are weatherproof, electric-powered, and compliant with traffic laws.
Operating 24/7, they offer flexibility for busy households, whether it’s receiving a parcel late at night or having the robot wait longer at the door so there’s time to answer.
The technology also supports Evri’s net-zero commitment, helping reduce the carbon footprint of traditional deliveries.
Are they safe?
The robots are managed from the Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre and monitored in real time by Evri’s operations team alongside Delivers.AI.
If a problem arises, such as an obstruction or attempted tampering, operators can step in immediately and even manually redirect the robot if necessary.
Marcus Hunter, Evri Group’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “We’re always looking at innovative ways to improve the delivery experience for our customers.
“The robots will work alongside our couriers, supporting them in their roles while helping to increase the speed, convenience and flexibility of the services we offer.
“We’re excited to see how the residents in Barnsley respond to this new service, and what we can learn from the trial.”
Who is eligible to take part?
For now, the trial is limited to a small area of Redbrook in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Residents can check their postcode online to see if they are eligible, and can opt out at any time via a dedicated link.
The feedback from the pilot scheme will help Evri determine whether robot deliveries could roll out more widely in the future, and potentially change the way Yorkshire gets its parcels forever.