The Impact of Autonomous Delivery Robots on Urban Logistics
Jiang, Chandler Yuxuan (2025)
Jiang, Chandler Yuxuan
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504166743
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504166743
Tiivistelmä
Rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Autonomous Navigation technol-ogies have contributed significantly to the development of Autonomous Delivery Robots (ADRs).Equipped with sensors, cameras, GPS and AI-powered algorithms, ADRs are designed to optimize last-mile delivery operations. As e-commerce continues to grow exponentially, the demand for efficient and cost-effective logistics solutions has surged, highlighting the limitations of traditional delivery methods, such as rising labor costs, urban congestion, and environmental concerns. ADRs offer a promising alternative by im-proving delivery efficiency, lowering operational costs, and minimizing reliance on human labor.
This study aims to comprehensively analyze the deployment of ADR in last-mile logistics, focusing on pub-lic acceptance, safety challenges, economic feasibility, environmental impacts, and regulatory framework. Using a case study approach, the study examines the implementation of ADR in different applications such as parcel delivery, food service and hospitality logistics in different regions including Europe, the United States and China. The study identifies key factors affecting consumer trust and acceptance, includ-ing privacy concerns, cybersecurity risks and perceived service quality. It also explores the safety chal-lenges faced by ADR in mixed traffic environments, such as navigational complexity, obstacle avoidance, and interaction with pedestrians and cyclists. Economically, the paper examines how ADRs show signifi-cant cost advantages over traditional delivery vehicles by reducing labor and fuel costs, especially in ur-ban environments. High initial investment costs and infrastructure requirements hinder widespread adoption. From an environmental perspective, ADR contributes to sustainable logistics by reducing car-bon emissions, although challenges associated with battery production and recycling remain.
The study concludes that while ADRs have great potential to revolutionize last-mile logistics, their success-ful integration into urban transportation systems requires addressing public concerns, enhancing safety measures, and developing a clear regulatory framework. By overcoming these challenges, ADRs can be-come a sustainable, cost-effective and scalable solution for the future of logistics.
This study aims to comprehensively analyze the deployment of ADR in last-mile logistics, focusing on pub-lic acceptance, safety challenges, economic feasibility, environmental impacts, and regulatory framework. Using a case study approach, the study examines the implementation of ADR in different applications such as parcel delivery, food service and hospitality logistics in different regions including Europe, the United States and China. The study identifies key factors affecting consumer trust and acceptance, includ-ing privacy concerns, cybersecurity risks and perceived service quality. It also explores the safety chal-lenges faced by ADR in mixed traffic environments, such as navigational complexity, obstacle avoidance, and interaction with pedestrians and cyclists. Economically, the paper examines how ADRs show signifi-cant cost advantages over traditional delivery vehicles by reducing labor and fuel costs, especially in ur-ban environments. High initial investment costs and infrastructure requirements hinder widespread adoption. From an environmental perspective, ADR contributes to sustainable logistics by reducing car-bon emissions, although challenges associated with battery production and recycling remain.
The study concludes that while ADRs have great potential to revolutionize last-mile logistics, their success-ful integration into urban transportation systems requires addressing public concerns, enhancing safety measures, and developing a clear regulatory framework. By overcoming these challenges, ADRs can be-come a sustainable, cost-effective and scalable solution for the future of logistics.