Bristol-based firm Collective Robotics has partnered with courier business Evri to trial an automated neighbourhood parcel hub designed to reduce delivery vehicle journeys. The hub, located at the Paintworks modern housing development in Bristol, automatically sorts, stores and manages items during a week-long pilot.
The system allows carriers to drop off a full delivery round in a single stop. Residents can then collect their items at any time from the unit, which features a timber exterior designed to integrate into residential streets.
Unlike standard parcel lockers or retail drop-off points that require manual placement into storage slots, the robotic hub accepts multiple parcels in a single drop before processing them automatically.
Collective Robotics was established as a spin-out from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory by academics and engineering specialists. The firm develops artificial intelligence and automated systems to handle urban distribution logistics.
The initiative extends automated logistics trials within the UK parcel delivery market. Recent logistics industry reports highlight that Evri has expanded its investment in alternative parcel routing networks to address urban clean air zones and lower last-mile delivery costs across major UK cities. These investments provide the operational framework for testing high-density automated collection points alongside existing parcel shop infrastructure.
Prof Sabine Hauert, chief executive and co-founder of Collective Robotics and a world-leading expert in the field, said the technology used in the prototype at Paintworks – which is clad in timber so it blends into its surroundings – was designed around one idea: the carrier’s time at the kerb should be measured in seconds, not minutes.
“Working with Evri allows us to test our early prototype with real deliveries and learn from both couriers and our neighbours about what works and what we need to improve,” she added.
Evri, which is headquartered in Leeds, selected the Paintworks site due to Bristol’s local clean air zone policies and existing low-emission transport initiatives.
Adrian Berry, innovation delivery manager at Evri, said: “Neighbourhood parcel hubs have the potential to bring parcels closer to consumers, giving them even greater choice, convenience and control over how they receive their deliveries. We’re already investing significantly in innovation across our network, and this trial is another example of how we’re testing new ideas that could help customers fit parcel deliveries around their lives.”
The hub is intended to operate alongside Evri’s existing network of home deliveries, local retail outlets and lockers.
Image source: Collective Robotics
