Last-Mile Delivery Solutions for the Future

Robots Get the Munchies. Bots ride the subway to restock 7-Eleven. In Shenzhen, China, the future of urban logistics just rolled into the subway—and quietly boarded the train. China has deployed 41 autonomous delivery bots to restock 7-Eleven stores located within the city’s metro system. These three—foot-tall robots with glowing LED “faces” use AI-driven scheduling algorithms and LiDAR navigation to autonomously ride trains, traverse platforms, operate elevators, and bridge platform gaps—all during off-peak hours. Vx Logistics LLC, a Vanke subsidiary, manages the operation, with the fleet serving over 100 7-Eleven stores located within the city’s vast subway network. The robots operate during non‑peak hours, replacing human couriers who otherwise need to park on the street and unload stock. This isn’t sci-fi. It’s the real-time execution of a strategic response to: • Traffic congestion and curbside chaos • Rising labor and delivery costs • The environmental footprint of last-mile logistics And it’s not just about sandwiches and soda. Shenzhen’s broader “Embodied Intelligent Robot Action Plan” positions these #robots as a blueprint for future deliveries—medical supplies, parcels, even sanitation tools—through underground infrastructure. Why this matters: If convenience stores can be restocked underground via autonomous fleets, imagine what this means for airports, hospitals, stadiums, or campuses. It’s a signal that last-inches delivery—once an afterthought—could become a competitive edge in both speed and sustainability. Somewhere between tech novelty and operational breakthrough lies the next frontier of retail logistics. AI and technology are disrupting and reinventing logistics. Don’t fall behind; mind the gap. #Innovation #RetailTech #UrbanLogistics #AI #Robotics #LastMileDelivery #SupplyChain #Strategy

Honda is getting into the delivery game—but the real story isn't what they're building, it's why they're building it. The old joke in the industry is that Honda only builds cars because they need a spot for their engines. They are a hardcore engineering operation. If you ever get a chance to make it to Marysville, OH where Honda's US factory is located, you're in for a few surprises. The facility is awesome and you can virtually smell gasoline everywhere. So Honda isn't just building an electric quadricycle called the eQuad—they're offering it as a Fleet-as-a-Service model through their new Fastport business unit. We've heard this Fleet-as-a-Service model from robotics companies and autonomous truck developers. The math is compelling: when I analyzed Tesla's lease versus sales profit last year, I found that they make their entire sales profit in just seven days on a lease model. Clearly, this news did not escape Honda. Here's what makes the eQuad compelling for urban delivery: 🚴♂️ Built for the city: ·      Can use bike lanes—a game-changer for urban logistics ·      23-mile range with swappable batteries (zero charging downtime) ·      Designed specifically for last-mile delivery from the ground up 🔧 Fastport's Fleet-as-a-Service innovation: ·      AI-powered fleet management and optimization ·      Full lifecycle support: software updates, maintenance, battery replacements ·      Honda isn't just selling vehicles; they're selling uptime and efficiency ⚡ The timing is telling too: ·      Late 2025 deliveries, 2026 mass production ·      Urban delivery demand exploding ·      Cities cracking down on emissions ·      Honda positioning right at the inflection point 🚀 It shows that legacy manufacturers still have the ability to truly innovate—not just in electric powertrains, but in reimagining entire business models. Sometimes the best disruption comes from those who understand engineering fundamentals. #supplychain #logistics #innovation #electricvehicles #lastmile

I recently had a fascinating conversation with Canon Reeves, CTO and Co-founder of Pipedream Labs, on my podcast. Here are three key takeaways: 1. Pipedream is developing a network of thin underground pipes and autonomous robots for urban delivery. This system could transform last-mile logistics, starting with drive-thru restaurants and potentially scaling to entire cities. 2. Their modular design approach enables rapid iteration and scalability. By focusing on customer-driven development, they're creating a system that can adapt to various environments and use cases. 3. Pipedream's innovative instant pickup system revolutionizes the traditional drive-thru model. By creating underground automated pickup and drive-thru stations, they're enabling restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers to increase capacity and revenue without expanding their physical footprint. If you're interested in urban infrastructure, robotics, or innovative logistics solutions, check out the full episode. Links are in the comments. I recommend listening at 1.5x speed. #UrbanInnovation #Robotics #LastMileDelivery

I watched a robot deliver food from a restaurant two blocks away. It was ridiculous and SO F**KING COOL! Who is shaping the future of autonomous food delivery? Coco: The new OpenAI partnership and fresh $122M in Series B funding for enhanced path planning lays the foundation for market dominance Manna Air Delivery: 3-minute drone deliveries are proving the speed advantage Wing: Multi-modal partnerships (see: Serve Robotics collab) are expanding their addressable market Nuro: Licensing pivot + deepening relationships with Uber highlights strategic focus to become the foundational autonomous vehicle technology provider Starship Technologies: With 8M+ deliveries; scaling from 50 campuses to 150 cities globally shows sustainable execution Zipline: Remains the drone delivery heavyweight with restaurant partnerships pushing beyond traditional medical deliveries Several key categories define the autonomous food delivery market: → Sidewalk Delivery Robots: Small autonomous robots designed for short-distance deliveries in pedestrian areas → Road-Based Autonomous Vehicles: Larger autonomous delivery vehicles capable of operating on public roads → Hybrid Remote-Operated Systems: Robotics solutions combining autonomous navigation with remote human oversight → Multi-Modal Delivery Platforms: Integrated systems combining various autonomous delivery methods with traditional logistics → Indoor/Controlled Environment Robots: Specialized robots for deliveries within buildings, hospitals, and controlled facilities → Drone Delivery Integration: Aerial autonomous delivery systems for rapid food delivery Market leaders in each category are emerging. But, while the market leaders are gaining commercial traction, winning key partnerships, and attracting funding, several players, including once-promising names are struggling to deliver (pun intended). In a market that once was betting on promise, execution is now table stakes. What recent highlights tell us about the evolution of the market: ↳Market leaders are now making millions of deliveries with 99% autonomy; proving scalability ↳Major platforms (Uber, DoorDash) are all-in with partnerships, driving adoption and revenue to fuel the next wave of innovation ↳Tech advancements and maturation are enabling the market shift from confined, controlled pilots to complex urban deployments ↳Investors are willing to write (big) checks to companies that are proving commercial traction with Nuro, Coco, Manna, and Neolix all raising fresh rounds this year We're witnessing the transition from “oh, look a robot” to "scalable last-mile infrastructure." 2025 is shaping up to be the year your Uber Eats or DoorDash driver isn’t a driver at all. P.S. Want more insights on the companies building the future of food delivery? Comment "insights delivered" below for *free* access to CB Insights' data and insights on the autonomous food delivery markets.

📌 This is what the future of postal delivery looks like! 🚚⚡ ✉️ United States Postal Service begins rolling out new Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs) built by Oshkosh Defense right here in Athens, GA! 🌍 Athens is just the starting point, with thousands of these innovative vehicles planned for deployment across the country in the coming years. 🎥 In a recent video produced by the The Associated Press, Patrick E., Executive Manager, Fleet Strategy & Support at USPS, talked about the phased rollout, with just under 100 vehicles being deployed this year, scaling up to thousands next year, and eventually reaching an impressive 20,000 units annually 🚀 These vehicles are replacing a fleet that has served since the 1980s—some of which are over 37 years old! 🛠️ The design of these NGDVs focuses not only on safety but also on practicality. They are engineered to support carriers in every possible way, from maneuverability to improved comfort. They’re designed to thoughtfully improve the experience of USPS workers, as well as reducing air pollution and making EVs more commonplace across the country. 🚐✨ Electric vehicles like these bring a host of benefits to last-mile delivery and commercial operations: 🌿 Lower Emissions ⇒ By replacing aging combustion engine vehicles, these new EVs will significantly reduce carbon emissions. USPS's move towards electrification is a critical step in contributing to cleaner urban air quality and aligning with global sustainability goals. ⚡ Cost Efficiency ⇒ EVs are also known for their lower operating and maintenance costs. With fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance. This is especially important for large-scale logistics operations like USPS. 🔋 Reduced Noise Pollution ⇒ You won't hear that USPS truck coming through your neighborhood anymore. This makes early-morning and late-night deliveries much less disruptive, contributing to a better quality of life for the communities USPS serves. 💡 Improved Urban Mobility: Last-mile delivery is often characterized by frequent stops, heavy traffic, and narrow streets—environments where EVs shine due to their quick acceleration and regenerative braking. This move is a part of USPS's broader $40 billion modernization plan to upgrade operations and electrify 75% of its fleet by 2028. By the end of this initiative, USPS aims to have more than 66,000 EVs in service, including a mix of Oshkosh's NGDVs and Ford E-Transit BEVs! 🌿🔋 I also recently shared an update on another unique vehicle that USPS is using, albeit on a smaller scale. 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/eGA66D8t #electricvehicles #commercialvehicles #lastmiledelivery #batteryelectrictrucks All publicly available information. Sources in the comments below 👇🏻 GAMUT Timuçin Kip

Imagine strolling down a street in China and spotting a small, bright-yellow electric van humming along - completely driverless! These so-called “Little Yellow EVs” are part of a new approach to last-mile delivery, the crucial (and often most expensive) final stretch of getting packages or meals right to your doorstep. Equipped with self-driving technology, these compact vehicles aim to cut labor costs, reduce delivery times, and shrink carbon footprints. But why is this such a big deal? Traditional delivery methods often involve multiple handoffs and extra steps that slow things down and add expenses. Autonomous vehicles operating on sidewalks or bike lanes can simplify the process, boosting efficiency and freeing up human couriers for more complex tasks. Plus, the use of electric power helps lower emissions - an increasingly important goal in busy urban areas. If these pilot programs continue to thrive, it’s likely that you’ll start seeing similar driverless delivery vans in other cities around the globe. Of course, questions about safety, regulations, and public acceptance remain - technology moves fast, but communities need to keep pace with smart policies and trust-building measures. Have you come across any self-driving delivery vehicles in your neighborhood yet? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

🦾📦 For the first time in the U.S. (to my knowledge) robots are delivering packages for a last mile carrier, and not just food. Veho is piloting RIVR’s four-legged robot for deliveries in Austin. The companies just announced a partnership to run supervised 5 to 6 hour delivery shifts. The bot looks like a dog on roller skates, climbs stairs and makes deliveries from van to door. For the driver, it’s like getting a robotic teammate that aims to help them make more deliveries, faster. Particularly in dense, urban areas. The hope for RIVR is to use the learnings from its partnership with Veho to scale to 100 bots by next year and thousands in 2027. 👀 With driverless Google Waymos cruising the streets, Avride’s robots delivering food and now this partnership - Austin is quickly becoming an autonomous delivery hotspot. (picture below from Veho)