Evri launches Bristol trial of next generation neighbourhood parcel hub
Evri is to launch a trial of a robotic neighbourhood parcel hub in Paintworks, Bristol in partnership with locally based spinout Collective Robotics.
The trial explores how neighbourhood parcel hubs could support final mile delivery and provide customers with even greater choice, convenience and control alongside Evri’s existing network of home delivery, ParcelShops and lockers.
As part of the company’s commitment to helping customers never miss a parcel, the trial will assess whether bringing parcels closer to where people live can provide greater flexibility over how and when deliveries are received.
Paintworks, a pedestrianised community in Bristol, has been chosen for the trial because of long lasting commitments to become a more sustainable city, with a clean air zone and the city of choice for previous e-cargo bike trials by Evri. Paintworks itself is representative of many modern residential developments and through the trial, Evri will assess how delivery hubs can support successful first time delivery, working with couriers to provide a more seamless and convenient experience for consumers in similar environments across the UK.
By integrating with existing delivery options, including home delivery, ParcelShops, lockers, safe places and neighbour deliveries, the concept is designed to complement the company’s existing network rather than replace it.
Unlike a traditional parcel locker or ParcelShop, where parcels are manually placed into storage locations, the advanced robotic neighbourhood hub can accept multiple parcels in a single drop before using AI and robotics to automatically identify, sort and store them without manual handling. By dynamically managing storage space and adapting to changing parcel volumes, the hub has the potential to bring more parcels closer to customers within local communities. The innovative storage system continually adapts to make the best use of available space, while intelligent software learns and improves over time, helping to create a more efficient and responsive parcel handling process.
This supports Evri’s ambition to provide delivery options that fit around customers’ lives, not the other way around. The initiative forms part of its continued investment in innovation, technology and customer experience. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, the company is exploring new ways to enhance convenience, improve flexibility and support successful first time deliveries. The business has already invested significantly in expanding its network of ParcelShops and lockers, and this trial will help assess how advanced robotics could further strengthen its out of home offering and support future growth.
‘Technology should make life easier for customers, and that is exactly what we are looking to explore through this trial. Neighbourhood parcel hubs have the potential to bring parcels closer to consumers, giving them even greater choice, convenience and control over how they receive their deliveries,’ said Adrian Berry, innovation delivery manager at Evri Group
‘We are already investing significantly in innovation across our network, and this trial is another example of how we are testing new ideas that could help customers fit parcel deliveries around their lives. We are excited to work with Collective Robotics to understand how this technology could complement our existing delivery, ParcelShop and locker network, and help shape the future of parcel delivery.’
‘Our aim at Collective Robotics is to develop technology that works for local communities, not simply technology that is placed in them. Working with Evri allows us to test our early prototype with real deliveries and learn from both couriers and our neighbours about what works and what we need to improve,’ said Sabine Hauert, CEO and co-founder of Collective Robotics.
