Evri is trialing autonomous robot deliveries in Barnsley - the UK's first government-backed ‘tech town’
· Evri and Delivers.AI have launched a three-month autonomous delivery trial in Barnsley, the UK's first government-backed ‘tech town’
· Participants can sign up to receive all parcels by robot, choose a delivery time slot and track their parcel in real-time
· Electric-powered and fully monitored, the robots offer a flexible, accessible and eco-friendly alternative, supporting Evri’s 2035 net zero target
A new trial of an autonomous delivery robot is going live in Redbrook, Barnsley, offering residents a glimpse into the future of final mile delivery. A partnership between Evri, the UK’s premier parcel delivery company, and Delivers.AI, will see a pilot run for at least three months. It aims to explore how robotics can support local couriers, while enhancing the overall delivery experience for consumers through increased choice and convenience.
Here's how it works:
Eligible residents can opt in to the trial to receive all their parcels by robot during the trial. Once a delivery is scheduled, customers receive a booking link via SMS to choose a time slot. When it’s time, the parcel is loaded into the robot, which travels to the customer’s address. Customers can track the robot in real time online and will receive a secure link via SMS to unlock the robot’s lid once it arrives. If no one’s home, the parcel is returned to the depot and redelivered by a courier.
The robots are weatherproof, compliant with traffic laws and electric-powered, offering a secure and sustainable delivery option that supports Evri's commitment to become net zero by 2035. Designed to operate 24/7, they offer greater flexibility for customers –
whether that’s receiving a parcel late at night or choosing a designated time slot that consumers and can fit around busy lifestyles. They can also wait longer at the door, which helps people who may need more time to answer, and with a compact design standing at 80cm tall, they’re accessible to wheelchair users too.
Operating out of Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre, the robots are fully monitored by Evri’s operations team in partnership with Delivers.AI, in real time. If an issue arises, such as an obstruction or attempted tampering, Evri can intervene immediately and even manually redirect the robot if needed.
As part of the pilot, Evri will be looking to demonstrate the robot and its technology to local schools and give children the opportunity to name the robot.
The trial is currently limited to a small area of Redbrook, Barnsley. Residents can check their postcode online to see if they are eligible. Customers can also opt out at any time via a dedicated link. The results of the trial will inform any decisions about future expansion.
We’re always looking at innovative ways to improve the delivery experience for our customers. The robots will work alongside our couriers, supporting them in their roles while helping to increase the speed, convenience and flexibility of the services we offer. We’re excited to see how the residents in Barnsley respond to this new service, and what we can learn from the trial.
Marcus Hunter, Chief Technology Officer at Evri Group
Hosting this pilot at The Business Village demonstrates how Barnsley is putting innovation into practice. From my position at BBIC and as a member of the Barnsley Inclusive Economy Board, I see this as a strong signal of the borough’s ambition. It supports our digital and logistics sectors, brings new technology directly into the community, and reinforces Barnsley’s reputation as a place where practical, forward-looking innovation can thrive
Martin Beesley, Barnsley Business Innovation Centre
As the UK's first government-backed Tech Town, it's fantastic to see this type of innovation, which could become the future for home deliveries, taking place here in Barnsley. "It is initiatives and ideas like this which are trialling new technologies that will play a crucial role in us becoming the UK's leading digital town, one the missions from our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy. "We wish Evri every success with this trial and will be following it with interest
Councillor Robin Franklin, Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture
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Media enquiries
For any enquiries relating to Evri Group or its companies; Evri, DHL eCommerce UK, UK Mail and Coll-8, please contact: prteam@evri.com
About Evri
Evri Group brings together Evri, DHL eCommerce UK – which in 2026 will be rebranded Evri Premium, a network of DHL - customs clearance and logistics specialist Coll-8 and business letters leader UK Mail, to create the UK’s premier parcel delivery company. The combined Evri Group will deliver more than 1 billion parcels and a further 1 billion business letters annually.
Evri, the core operating brand, currently delivers around 900 million parcels a year, and is on a mission to be the most convenient way to send, receive and return parcels, without costing the earth.
Working with everyone from Europe’s top retailers, marketplaces and pre-loved sites to gift-givers, the roots of Evri can be traced back to Yorkshire in 1974. The business has grown over the last five decades and now has a team of 12,000+ employees and 30,000+ couriers, as well as a growing network of more than 10,000+ ParcelShops and Lockers and 500+ state-of-the-art hubs and depots. Following its acquisition of Coll-8, an Irish independent customs clearance and logistics specialist, and merger with DHL eCommerce UK, Evri Group continues to enhance its international capability and enable world trade.
Evri has close to 4 million independent 5-star Trustpilot reviews, an average courier rating of 4.6/5, reflecting a strong commitment to customer experience.
For more info: www.evri.com/news-and-corporate