Talks underway to bring ‘delivery robots’ to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
There are plans to introduce self-driving robots to deliver groceries “within the next year” across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Self-driving delivery robots could be rolling along the streets of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole within the next year.
The small electric vehicles - described by councillor Andy Hadley as “tiny fridges on wheels” - are being considered as part of a pilot scheme to deliver groceries across BCP.
The council’s latest transport plan says a pilot personal delivery scheme using small autonomous electric vehicles is expected to be developed and delivered by 2031.
But Cllr Hadley said discussions with the company behind the technology are ongoing and we could see the service arrive considerably sooner.
“The good news is that it could be quite soon, within the next year or so,” he said.
The company first approached the council around two years ago and has already introduced the robots in several locations around the UK.
For BCP, the technology could eventually add another dimension to the debate over how the conurbation uses its roads, pavements and parking spaces.
If more grocery deliveries can be made directly to households without individual car journeys, the scheme could help reduce some demand for short trips and potentially change how kerbside space is used.
However, Cllr Hadley stressed that the timing of any launch ultimately rests with the company.
The robots are designed to operate on pavements and use cameras and other sensors to identify obstacles. If they encounter a situation they cannot resolve, they can stop, communicate and be remotely taken over by a human controller.
“They also run on the left-hand side of the pavement, so they’re in a predictable place,” Cllr Hadley added.
Accessibility and pedestrian safety have been among the issues discussed with the council.
BCP Council said the robots would avoid locations considered ‘unsuitable’ and that their speed could be controlled.
The seafront, Lower Gardens and certain roads could be among areas where restrictions are imposed.
While the prospect of autonomous grocery deliveries may sound futuristic, for residents, the arrival of the “fridges on wheels” could offer a new way to receive groceries.