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FedEx teams up with Nuro to test self-driving delivery vehicles
FedEx has struck a deal to test Nuro self-driving delivery vehicles, including for 'last mile' trips
Senators ask FTC to investigate Instacart over 'tip baiting'
A group of US senators has called on the FTC to investigate Instacart and other grocery delivery services for allowing 'tip baiting' that stiffs couriers.
Waymo's self-driving vans will carry UPS packages in Phoenix
Waymo is expanding its foray into self-driving delivery vehicles. The Alphabet brand is teaming with UPS on a pilot that will have autonomous Chrysler Pacifica vans carry packages in the metro Phoenix area. They'll be shuttling cargo from UPS Stores to the courier's Tempe processing hub, not directly to customers, but they will drive on their own. A human will stay aboard to keep watch over operations.
California allows 'light-duty' self-driving delivery vehicles
Self-driving delivery vehicles could soon become a relatively common sight on California streets. The state's Department of Motor Vehicles will allow "light-duty" autonomous delivery vehicles under 10,001lbs for testing and commercial uses. Companies will need permits that vary depending on whether or not a backup driver is involved, but this will allow everything from modified passenger cars to purpose-built vans to carry groceries, pizza orders and other forms of cargo.
FedEx won't renew its deal for Amazon ground deliveries
FedEx is still busy cutting its ties with Amazon. The courier company has declined to renew its contract for Amazon ground deliveries when it expires at the end of August, leaving just an international delivery contract between the two. FedEx isn't shy about the reasoning, either -- it's about independence. This lines up with FedEx's plan to "focus on the broader e-commerce market," according to a statement sent to Bloomberg.
Uber Elevate plans to deliver Big Macs by drone this summer
Move over, Uber Eats. Uber Elevate plans to deliver food via drone as early as this summer. To start, the service will be available in San Diego, and since Uber has been working closely with McDonalds, it will likely be optimized for things like Big Macs and fries.
Amazon's new delivery drone is a helicopter-airplane hybrid
Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery still isn't a practical reality, but that isn't stopping the company from iterating on its robotic flyer's design. The internet retailer has unveiled a next-generation electric drone that tackles some of the challenges the autonomous courier faces. It's now a "hybrid design" that can take off and land vertically like a typical hexacopter drone, but has aerodynamics (and thus efficiency) more like that of a fixed-wing aircraft. More importantly, it's safer -- and we're not just talking about the protective shroud that doubles as wings.
Amazon's Scout is cute but it won't bring humans and robots closer
With the introduction of its latest delivery drone iteration, the Scout, Amazon is once again reassuring the shopping public that automated package delivery services are just just around the corner. Just as they've been promising since 2013, when founder Jeff Bezos went on 60 Minutes and claimed that the technology would be commonplace within 5 years. But unfortunately for his predictions, the march of progress rarely sticks to a set schedule.
UPS will expand its in-building delivery service to 10 more cities
Do you like the thought of UPS delivering packages to your apartment building when you're not home? UPS certainly does. The courier plans to bring its in-building delivery option to 10 more cities starting in mid-2019, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC. The concept remains the same as in the existing New York City and San Francisco. If you opt for it, a smart access device from Latch will let the courier enter the building and drop off your goods at a common space like the lobby or mail room -- you shouldn't get that dreaded "failed delivery attempt" notice just because you couldn't take a few hours off work.
Starship launches robot package delivery service in the UK
The dream of having a robot deliver packages to your home is now real, provided you live in the right part of the UK. Starship Technologies has launched a ground-based robot package service (the first in the world, according to the company) in Milton Keynes. You have to tell companies to ship to a Starship facility instead of your usual destination, but after that it's just a matter of using a mobile app to schedule a robotic delivery at a convenient time. You can track the bot in the app if you're anxiously awaiting an order.
Golf course drone deliveries help you grab a bite on the green
You won't have to wait for a human courier (or drive back to the clubhouse) just to satisfy your hunger in the middle of a golf game. Flytrex and EASE drones have teamed up with King's Walk Golf Course in North Dakota to offer the first drone-based food delivery service on an American golf course. If your stomach is growling several holes in, you just have to pick a pre-approved drop-off point through a mobile app, order your meal and watch as a human-piloted drone carries your grub directly to that point. That's potentially much faster than having a worker drive a circuitous route.
UPS will build 'medium-duty' delivery truck for its electric fleet
UPS' quest to electrify its trucks includes both giant semis and smaller last-mile trucks, but not so many of the vehicles in between. It might rectify that solution soon -- the courier company has teamed up with Thor Trucks to build and test a "medium-duty" electric delivery truck. While it's still in the early stages, the machine would use a "lightweight, durable" Thor battery that would enable a range of about 100 miles.
Walmart tweaks employee-based delivery tests after setbacks
Walmart started testing employee-based deliveries in 2017 with the hope that it could counter Amazon using its existing workforce -- store staff would deliver your orders after their shifts to speed up your orders while minimizing costs. That doesn't appear to be how it worked out in practice, though. Reuters has learned that Walmart scrapped the multi-store pilot program in January and has since launched a small "Associate Delivery 2.0" trial in Woodstock, Georgia. Spokeswoman Molly Blakeman didn't elaborate on the moves beyond confirming them, but drivers in the first attempt complained about poor pay and unrealistic time expectations.
Caviar will cover medical costs for injured couriers
Insurance for app-based couriers and drivers tends to be inconsistent. It's not always available, sometimes costs drivers extra and may be focused more on protecting the company than the worker. Square's restaurant delivery service Caviar is addressing this gap by launching Occupational Accident coverage that will cover costs for injuries suffered on the job. If they're hurt picking up or delivering food, they'll receive up to $1 million per accident, $100,000 in accidental death and survivor's benefits and disability pay that equates to 50 percent of their average weekly earnings. This won't cost extra to couriers, and it starts the very moment they start accepting customers.
Amazon can deliver packages to the inside of your car
Amazon Key's in-home delivery is all well and good (assuming you trust it in the first place), but there's an obvious caveat: you have to go home to get your package. Now, you might not even have to go to that trouble. Amazon has launched a Key In-Car service that, as you can guess, lets couriers deliver packages to the trunk of your vehicle as long as it's in a publicly accessible parking space. You'll need a 2015 or newer GM-made or Volvo car with an internet-savvy account (OnStar or Volvo On Call), but after that it's relatively seamless: the delivery driver requests access to your car, and you'll get a notification when the package has been dropped off and your car is relocked.
Amazon Key can require your fingerprint to allow in-home deliveries
As convenient as Amazon's in-home delivery can be, the app powering it isn't entirely secure. It normally grants full access to your smart lock and camera footage, which would pose a rather obvious problem if the wrong person had one of your mobile devices. As of now, though, you can throw an obstacle in their way: the Amazon Key app for Android now supports fingerprint authentication. Switch it on and you should be the only one who can open the door.
Microsoft patent points to folding dual-screen notebook
New patent filings from Microsoft appear to hint at that foldable notepad we've heard rumors of for a while, The Verge reports. Filed earlier this week, the patent contains a number of images depicting a unique hinge and a few that show a foldable, two screen device that appears to work in a number of configurations.
UPS is trialling electric bike trailers in London
In a bid to lower emissions in the capital and reduce the footprint of its vehicles on the road, global delivery firm UPS has begun trialling a new electric-powered bike trailer on the streets of London. The concept, built as part of the Low Impact City Logistics project, attaches to the back of a pedal cycle and utilises a "net-neutral" technology. This then allows couriers to transport up to 200 kilograms without requiring any additional effort on their part.
Microsoft reportedly tests a Courier-like folding digital notebook
With the success of its Surface lineup, it was only a matter of time until Microsoft revisited its Courier "digital journal" concept. The company is reportedly working on another foldable tablet, code-named Andromeda, which focuses heavily on pen input, Windows Central reports. And, surprisingly, it could make its way to consumers as early as next year. Given that Microsoft has practically given up on the smartphone market, Andromeda sounds like it's trying to forge a new type of mobile device. It could take advantage of the company's progress with Windows Ink to create what's essentially a digital Moleskin notebook.
Amazon Key opens your home for indoor deliveries
Amazon's gone to a lot of effort to make its services as convenient as possible -- free delivery, lightning fast delivery, delivery from the sky (well, soon, probably) -- now it's eliminating the need for you to even be at home to receive your packages (or to have a designated safe place), because its couriers can now simply let themselves into your property.
