Delivery and logistics are being rewritten by robotics. With e-commerce skyrocketing and labor costs rising, logistics firms are adopting robots to handle everything from warehouse tasks to last-mile delivery. These machines don’t just move packages—they’re reshaping how goods flow through cities, campuses, and commerce hubs. Let’s unpack the robots that are making logistics smarter, faster, and more scalable.

1.Starship Technologies – Sidewalk Delivery Champion

Smart Simplicity in Action

Starship’s delivery robots are compact, ground-based vehicles engineered to autonomously travel along sidewalks and cross streets. Using a combination of cameras, radar, and GPS, each robot safely makes deliveries without a driver or operator.

What Sets It Apart

• Payload: Up to 20 lbs (perfect for food, meds, or groceries)
• Autonomy: Navigates 100% autonomously in mapped zones
• Autonomy: Navigates 100% autonomously in mapped zones
• Operations: Active in 30+ cities and 50+ campuses globally

Real-World Reach

In Milton Keynes, UK, Co-op supermarket uses a fleet of Starship robots to deliver daily essentials. On the University of Kentucky campus, Starship bots have completed over 150,000 deliveries—cutting wait times by half. (Source)

Barriers to Scale

• Struggles with snow, curbs, and poorly maintained sidewalks
• Limited to short-range, local deliveries
• Requires local regulatory approval and mapping

2.Nuro R2 – The Street-Legal Autonomous Van

Designing a Vehicle for Cargo Only

Nuro’s R2 vehicle is built from the ground up for autonomous delivery—no seats, steering wheel, or driver. It’s made to drive on public roads and deliver groceries, prescriptions, or restaurant orders in suburban neighborhoods.

Tech You Should Know

• Street-legal in select U.S. states (e.g., Texas, California)
• Dual temperature compartments (hot + cold)
• Operates up to 25 mph
• 360° perception with lidar, radar, and thermal sensors

From Pilot to Scale

Nuro has partnered with Kroger, CVS, and Domino’s Pizza for autonomous deliveries. In Houston, their vehicles deliver over 3,000 grocery orders weekly, and Domino’s saw a 28% speed improvement in test neighborhoods.(Source)

Current Roadblocks

• High unit cost (~$500,000)
• Requires extensive local testing and government sign-off
• Still limited to low-speed roads

3.Agility Robotics – Digit, the Warehouse Walker

Built for the Human World

Digit is a bipedal robot designed to work alongside humans. It walks, lifts, and navigates steps—making it ideal for complex environments like fulfillment centers where wheeled robots fall short.

Features That Redefine Automation

• Carries boxes up to 35 lbs
• Walks over obstacles, through doors, and across uneven ground
• Modular design with full API access
• Designed for plug-and-play into warehouse management systems

Deployment Diaries

Amazon began testing Digit in U.S. fulfillment centers in 2023. The robot helped transfer boxes between stations, improving worker ergonomics and reducing short-distance manual handling by 18%.(source)

Still Evolving

• Limited runtime (~2 hours per charge)
• No weather resistance
• High cost and low availability (pilot phase only)

Delivery Robots in the Wild: Global Highlights

• Arizona & Texas: Nuro’s fleet delivers groceries and pharmacy items to suburban homes
• United Kingdom: Starship bots serve urban communities with low-emission food delivery
• Japan: Panasonic and Japan Post test sidewalk bots in densely populated neighborhoods
• Estonia: Starship’s birthplace now runs a national sidewalk delivery network

Robot Logistics: Benefits vs. Barriers

Advantage	Challenge
Cuts delivery cost/time	High initial investment
Emission-free transportation	Terrain/weather constraints
24/7 operation capability	Local regulation hurdles
Reduces labor dependency	Tech literacy required for ops teams

What’s Around the Corner for Delivery Robotics?

• Mixed Fleets: Warehouse bots, aerial drones, and sidewalk rovers in hybrid delivery chains
• AI Route Optimization: Traffic, weather, and customer behavior prediction in real time
• RaaS Models (Robots-as-a-Service): Affordable leasing options to reduce CapEx
• Pop-up Delivery Hubs: Urban containers staffed only by bots\
• ERP Integration: Seamless plug-in with Shopify, Salesforce, and logistics APIs

Looking for the Right Robot for Your Operation?

Choosing the best robot for delivery or internal logistics depends on terrain, delivery volume, and business model. Let SmartHubShopper.com help you compare models, estimate ROI, and connect with certified robot vendors.