Evri pilots robots at Rugby hub to help with rising parcel volumes

Evri Group has started to trial automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at its Rugby hub, part of its efforts to deal with rising parcel volumes and streamline warehouse operations.

The delivery company said the move will see two AGVs operate inside the warehouse to transport cages and pallets across the site. Evri currently relies on workers to move these loads manually throughout the day from one end of the hub to another.

The AGVs use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to navigate the hub, detecting ceiling-mounted sensors that map out routes across the warehouse.

Evri said each vehicle can carry loads of up to 1.5 tonnes and follow pre-programmed paths between locations, with the option to include scheduled stops for manual loading and unloading. Staff can also control the vehicles manually when required.

Evri said the introduction of robotics will allow it to redeploy staff into more productive and meaningful tasks to meet rising parcel volumes. Staff will also be given the opportunity to learn how to operate the robots.

The AGV rollout builds on a series of automation initiatives at Evri. The company previously tested a robotic delivery dog in what it described as an industry first, and continues to run an autonomous delivery trial in Barnsley.

“I’m excited to see the AGVs in action and to see the benefits they can have on production,” said Lee Moss, head of hub operations at Evri Group. “Some of the work our colleagues carry out can be very monotonous; our hub is incredibly large, and it takes a long time walking back and forth carrying cardboard for example. Things like this will help our people on the tasks they don’t love so they can spend time on work they enjoy.”

In February, Evri launched a new apprenticeship scheme designed to strengthen data and AI skills across its workforce.

The scheme is offered in partnership with education technology provider Multiverse, which offers both level 3 and level 4 courses.

Evri said the training is aimed at employees who do not currently work in AI or data, but want to build practical skills in these fast-growing areas. The programmes will help over 90 employees from various departments across the business gain hands-on skills through a series of modules, workshops and real business projects.