Definition: Autonomous Delivery

What is autonomous delivery?

Autonomous delivery is the transport of goods using unmanned, self-driving vehicles.

With autonomous delivery, goods can be transported between facilities or delivered directly to customers' doorsteps without a human behind the wheel. Instead, delivery companies use vehicles that can navigate routes, avoid obstacles and steer themselves with the help of pre-programmed instructions and artificial intelligence.

Autonomous delivery has some clear advantages. Efficiency and costs can be increased because the vehicles don't have to take breaks like human drivers, and delivery times could be 24/7 without this restriction. And since passengers aren't a factor, the loading space can be optimised so that every load is used to its full potential. Without restrictions due to driver shortages or working hours, customised deliveries could soon be possible at any time.

However, autonomous delivery, in its current technological state, has not fully eliminated the need for human assistance. The 'last mile' transfer of goods from vehicle to customer doorstep still requires a person for things like verifying addresses, unpacking items, and handling customer interactions. As long as autonomous technology has not yet reached the point where end-to-end delivery is possible without people, a certain degree of human involvement will remain essential for the fulfilment of tasks.