FedEx Tests Self-Driving Deliveries With Start-Up Nuro
Package delivery companies are looking to reduce costs of last-mile delivery.
Opinions expressed by Â鶹Éç contributors are their own.
FedEx is partnering with robotics company, Nuro, to deliver packages around Houston, .
The multi-year, multi-phase agreement follows a surge in last-mile delivery during the pandemic.
Last-mile refers to the last step of the delivery process from transportation hub to final destination; it’s also the most expensive part of the fulfillment chain.
Related: Emerging Supply Chain Trends Â鶹Éçs Need to Know About
The vehicles could improve efficiency for handling remote locations and late-night pickups.
Nuro’s Head of Partnerships, Cosimo Leipold, says the slow-moving units will offer cost-savings by providing “the biggest bang for your buck.”
FedEx’s Vice President for Advanced Technology and Innovation, Rebecca Yeung, says the “serious, long-term commitment” aims to reduce problems, not workers.
Related: IKEA, Lenovo Among Businesses with Products Still Stalled in the Suez Canal
“Instead of dispatching a driver to get those packages,” she , “a device like Nuro could be super helpful.”
The company’s unmanned vehicles are already making deliveries in the Houston area for grocery chain Kroger and Domino’s Pizza.
The Mountain View, California-based Nuro, which was founded in 2016, says the pilot program with FedEx has already started, and hopes the partnership will eventually lead to large-scale deployment for the logistics giant.
Related: Retail Will Never Go Back to Normal
FedEx is partnering with robotics company, Nuro, to deliver packages around Houston, .
The multi-year, multi-phase agreement follows a surge in last-mile delivery during the pandemic.
Last-mile refers to the last step of the delivery process from transportation hub to final destination; it’s also the most expensive part of the fulfillment chain.
Related: Emerging Supply Chain Trends Â鶹Éçs Need to Know About
The vehicles could improve efficiency for handling remote locations and late-night pickups.
Nuro’s Head of Partnerships, Cosimo Leipold, says the slow-moving units will offer cost-savings by providing “the biggest bang for your buck.”
FedEx’s Vice President for Advanced Technology and Innovation, Rebecca Yeung, says the “serious, long-term commitment” aims to reduce problems, not workers.
Related: IKEA, Lenovo Among Businesses with Products Still Stalled in the Suez Canal
“Instead of dispatching a driver to get those packages,” she , “a device like Nuro could be super helpful.”
The company’s unmanned vehicles are already making deliveries in the Houston area for grocery chain Kroger and Domino’s Pizza.
The Mountain View, California-based Nuro, which was founded in 2016, says the pilot program with FedEx has already started, and hopes the partnership will eventually lead to large-scale deployment for the logistics giant.
Related: Retail Will Never Go Back to Normal
