Evri, the UK’s largest dedicated parcel delivery company, has announced a strategic partnership with Swiss robotics firm RIVR to deploy autonomous robots for short-distance parcel drop-offs. The collaboration is focused on a specific logistics bottleneck known as the “last-100-yard” challenge—the final stretch from a delivery van to the customer’s doorstep, which often consumes a disproportionate amount of time and physical effort for drivers.
RIVR’s wheeled-legged robot is designed to address this issue by automating these repetitive short-distance movements, allowing drivers to concentrate on tasks like organizing packages and planning delivery routes. The first deployment is taking place in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, as part of a real-world trial.
The robot combines legged mobility with wheels, enabling it to navigate curbs, steps, and uneven surfaces—areas that often pose difficulties for traditional wheeled robots. Its autonomous capabilities help reduce driver fatigue while potentially increasing parcel throughput, making last-mile operations more efficient.
“With the exponential rise in e-commerce, optimizing last-mile logistics is more important than ever,” said Marko Bjelonic, CEO of RIVR. “Our partnership with Evri is a major step toward reimagining parcel delivery with robotics, enabling faster, more cost-effective, and driver-friendly solutions.”
Founded in 2024 by robotics researchers from ETH Zürich, RIVR specializes in Physical AI-powered robots designed for scalable logistics solutions. The company aims to give one person the operational power of managing a thousand robots through AI coordination. Its goal is to deploy over one million robots in the future, creating a data-driven system that could accelerate the development of general-purpose robotics.
Evri, formerly known as Hermes UK, delivers over 800 million parcels each year and works with a wide range of major retailers, marketplaces, and pre-loved platforms across Europe. With more than 8,000 employees, 2,000 couriers, and 10,000 out-of-home locations, the company has one of the most extensive logistics networks in the UK. Evri’s CTO Marcus Hunter commented on the collaboration: “As we continue to push boundaries in delivery logistics, we’re excited to explore how RIVR’s robotic solution can enhance our operations. We believe this technology will redefine last-yard delivery, providing a better experience for both drivers and customers.”
The robots are being integrated into Evri’s operations as part of a larger innovation strategy that includes a focus on sustainability, driver well-being, and operational efficiency. The system is not intended to replace drivers but to serve as a robotic companion that alleviates physically demanding aspects of the job.
Backed by high-profile investors including Jeff Bezos and HSG, RIVR has already attracted significant media attention, amassing over 100 million views across platforms. With the UK trial underway, the partnership between Evri and RIVR could offer a scalable solution for modern e-commerce logistics challenges—especially in urban and suburban neighborhoods where frequent stops and short walking distances dominate delivery routes.
Source: RIVR
