FedEx on Wednesday, July 7, announced that Roxo, the company’s autonomous delivery device, has made its debut in the Asia Pacific in Japan.

The company cited Japan’s positive regulatory framework, world-class infrastructure, and a “fertile environment” for the testing and adoption of robotics as some of the reasons for launching Roxo in the country.

Roxo is a wheeled device with a height of nearly 5 feet that can travel on sidewalks and roadsides, and is designed to deliver smaller shipments to homes and businesses. A horizontal screen can be found on the front of its body, displaying a message such as “Hello.”

FedEx

It is equipped with multiple cameras, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), and machine learning capabilities that allow it to navigate autonomously without bumping into people or obstacles.

It also has the capability to navigate unpaved surfaces, and to climb steps. Signals, lights and a signaling screen communicate to other people where it intends to go.

FedEx

The robot is also undergoing testing in the US to further “train” its software, and to test how safe it is. In Japan, FedEx hopes to “identify local, case-specific applications.”

“The FedEx SameDay Bot is truly an innovation opening new possibilities for on-demand, same day, hyper-localized delivery,” said Kawal Preet, president of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region at FedEx Express. He added the robot brings a “glimpse of the future of logistics, where customers can enjoy same day, contactless delivery services at their doorsteps.”

FedEx is co-developing the robot with DEKA Development & Research Corp, which is known for producing the Segway. Roxo uses DEKA’s iBOT electric wheelchair base, which was designed to navigate rough terrain, traverse steps, and steep inclines.

FedEx

The robot was unveiled in February 2019. Before Japan, Roxo made its debut outside the US in Dubai in October 2019. – Rappler.com