DPDgroup has imagined two scenarios: autonomous transport in city centres on the one hand, and mobile lockers on the other. Both scenarios pave the way for a delivery activity that is more respectful of the urban environment. In the second, end-customers also benefit from a highly personalised delivery service.
For autonomous transport in city centres, the parcels are loaded onto the autonomous vehicle in a sorting centre on the outskirts, then the vehicle travels entirely on its own to a specific location in the city centre. The delivery person is expecting it, and takes charge of its contents. Since the delivery addresses are in the immediate vicinity, travel time by road is eliminated and delivery agents have smaller distances to cover on foot. This represents significant progress in terms of making deliveries less strenuous.
Meanwhile, using the Renault EZ-PRO concept car as a mobile locker would allow the delivery round to be planned and end-customers to be informed via a notification. Customers would then be able to pick up or return their parcel from a given point in the city centre. Delivery could also be made at a time and place of their choosing.