DPD UK has announced the launch of robot deliveries in two areas of Milton Keynes.

The move is part of a trial with AI robotics and last mile delivery business Cartken.

According to the parcel delivery company, the DPD-branded autonomous robots will each deliver up to 30 parcels a day.

The robots, which will operate out of the firm’s Knowhill depot, will navigate the town’s traffic-free Redway network to access the residential neighbourhoods of Shenley Church End and Shenley Lodge.

DPD boss Elaine Kerr said that the trial was “really important” for the business.

“We want to understand the role that delivery robots could play in certain locations in the UK,” said Kerr, DPD UK chief executive. “ They are a sustainable solution, and we genuinely want to find out if they could help us take vans off the road in future.”

“ The technology is proven and with the DPD branding, they look fantastic. The public’s response to our EV fleet has been amazing, so I am confident these smart robots will be embraced by customers as part of the way forward.”

In May, DPD UK signed a deal with Ford for 1,000 e-transit vans.

The delivery firm said that the move will take its electric vehicle fleet up to 2,500 in total.

It has recently announced plans to have more than 3,000 electric vehicles on the road this year, and 5,000 by 2023 – when it will deliver to 30 towns and cities on all-electric vehicles.

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