Serviceroboter

Last Mile Delivery Robot: Manufacturer & Technology 2026

Nico Nuss 0
Last Mile Lieferroboter [Image content created with AI]

The last mile is one of the most expensive and organizationally difficult parts of a supply chain. AutonomousDelivery robotare intended to take on short transports, relieve personnel capacities and make local deliveries more economical. It’s no longer just about individual pilot projects: Starship Technologies is reporting more than ten million deliveries, while manufacturers such as Serve Robotics, Robot.com and Cartken are expanding their fleets and areas of application. However, the technology is not a universal alternative to human deliverers. This market overview shows the status in 2026, explains how it works and classifies costs, legal situation and real possible uses.

The most important thing in brief

  • Delivery robots transport food, groceries, packages, spare parts or laboratory samples over short and largely predictable routes.
  • Starship Technologies is currently the most scaled provider of sidewalk robots based on published delivery figures.
  • cameras, radar,LiDARDepending on the manufacturer, ultrasound, HD maps and machine learning form the technical basis.
  • In Germany there is no simple, nationwide standard approval specifically for small sidewalk robots. Public operations must be subject to legal and local scrutiny.
  • Campus, factory and neighborhood transport with high order density and repeatable routes are particularly economically attractive.

What is a Delivery Robot?

A delivery robot is an electrically powered, autonomous or remotely monitored transport vehicle that transports goods on the final leg of a supply chain.Small models usually move at approximately walking speed on sidewalks or private paths. Larger autonomous delivery vehicles, on the other hand, use roads or demarcated operating areas.

What are last mile robots?

The last mile is the section between a local warehouse, store, restaurant or distribution point and the final recipient. This section is expensive because many small shipments have to be delivered to different addresses. Added to this are waiting times, traffic problems, lack of parking space and unsuccessful delivery attempts.

Delivery robots do not necessarily combine several households in one tour. Instead, many devices take on individual orders within a radius of a few kilometers. A restaurant employee loads the locked cargo space. The robot then moves to the receiver, who opens the compartment using the app or a personal code. For a complementary technical perspective, see Restaurant robots in practice: How automation is revolutionizing the catering industry.

The vehicles must be distinguished from delivery drones and classic driverless transport systems. Drones move in the airspace and are subject to aviation regulations. Conventional driverless transport systems usually work within controlled halls. Modern delivery robots, on the other hand, sometimes move in publicly accessible and dynamic environments.

The term covers several vehicle classes:

  • Pavement robot:small vehicles for food, groceries and packages on short distances.
  • Campus robots:Devices for universities, clinics, hotels and self-contained quarters.
  • Outdoor intralogistics robots:Transport of tools, spare parts, samples or documents on factory premises.
  • Autonomous road vehicles:larger vehicles with higher payloads and significantly more complex registration requirements.

State of the art: This is how delivery robots work

Sensors, navigation and remote monitoring

A delivery robot does not orient itself exclusively via GPS. Its accuracy is often not sufficient in urban canyons, between buildings or under trees. The vehicles therefore combine several data sources. Cameras detect road boundaries, pedestrians, animals, vehicles and other obstacles. Radar can detect distances and movements even in difficult visibility conditions. LiDAR uses laser pulses to create a spatial image of the environment, but not every manufacturer uses it. Ultrasonic sensors often protect the immediate vicinity.

The software brings this information together via a so-called sensor fusion. At the same time, it compares the perceived environment with a previously created map. Procedures from the areaSLAMhelp the robot determine its position and supplement the map with new measurement data. Many providers use defined operating areas in which safe paths, street crossings and closed areas are stored.

However, most commercial systems do not work completely independently of people. A control center monitors the fleet and can help in unusual situations. For example, the operator approves a driving maneuver, confirms a confusing crossing or supports the robot in driving around a construction site. Teleoperation is therefore not just an emergency solution, but an important part of the operating concept.

Security is based on several levels. If there is an obstacle that cannot be clearly assessed, the robot reduces its speed or stops. Emergency braking functions, self-diagnosis, position monitoring and locked loading compartments complete the system. Many vehicles use lighting, audible cues or displays to make their driving intent more understandable to passers-by.

The range depends heavily on vehicle weight, battery, temperature, topography and payload. For practical operation, it is not just the theoretical mileage that is crucial. More important are available operating hours, charging time, order density and the distance to the charging or maintenance station. Some platforms can automatically charge or replenish their battery wirelessly.

Manufacturer comparison: The most important providers in 2026

Manufacturer Focus 2026 Vehicle class Published key data Typical fields of application
Starship Technologies Scaled autonomous short-range delivery Sidewalk robot More than 10 million deliveries, over 3,000 robots, more than 300 locations Food, food, campus, industry
Serve Robotics Food delivery in US cities Sidewalk robot Around 49 liters of cargo space, up to around 17.7 km/h according to the manufacturer Restaurants and platform deliveries
Robot.com
(formerly Kiwibot)		 Campus, delivery and service robotics Sidewalk robot R Kiwi: 19 liters, 10 to 12 hours of battery operation, level 4 according to the provider Campus, food, packages, advertising
Cartken Outdoor intralogistics and campus traffic Courier and heavy outdoor AMR Courier: 20 kg payload and more than 13 hours of running time Plants, laboratories, clinics, campuses
Nuro Licensable autonomy platform Road-bound vehicles More than 1.7 million autonomous miles according to the provider Robotaxis, vehicle manufacturers, commercial fleets

Note: Manufacturer information is based on different measurement methods and is therefore not directly comparable. Range, payload and degree of autonomy should be contractually confirmed for each specific vehicle and area of ​​application.

Starship Technologies: Market leader by delivery figures

Starship Technologies was founded in 2014 by Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis. The company focuses on small six-wheeled robots that transport groceries, meals and operational goods. In April 2026, Starship reported more thanten million completed deliveries. According to the company, more than 3,000 robots were active at over 300 locations in eight countries at that time.

According to the manufacturer, the vehicles are 99 percent autonomous and are assigned autonomy level 4. Cameras, radar, other environmental sensors and machine learning support navigation. Remote monitoring remains as a fallback level. Starship says its fleet has traveled more than 23 million kilometers.

The company has a particularly strong presence on US college campuses and in European residential and utility areas. The European markets include Germany, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Switzerland, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. In addition to food and grocery deliveries, Starship now uses its vehicles for industrial transport. For example, the company names Merck as a user on its website.

The large number of real trips is a significant competitive advantage. Each trip provides data about curbs, street crossings, pedestrians and unusual obstacles. This data can improve the detection of rare situations. However, the published success figures come from the company itself and cannot be equated with an independently verified market share. For additional context, see Figure 03: What the humanoid robot can really do.

Serve Robotics: Expansion via delivery platforms

Serve Robotics emerged from the robotics division of the delivery service Postmates. After the acquisition of Postmates, Serve continued to develop as an independent company. The focus is on sidewalk food delivery in U.S. cities. Uber Eats is one of the most important commercial partners and also has a stake in Serve.

The robots combine LiDAR, cameras and other sensors with AI-based driving software. They move in normal pedestrian traffic and can be supported by a control center. LoudServe RoboticsThe cargo space holds approximately 13 US gallons or around 49 liters. The company says the maximum speed is around 11 mph, i.e. almost 17.7 km/h. During normal sidewalk operation, the actual permissible speed can be significantly lower.

Serve reported building more than 2,000 robots at the end of 2025. In March 2026, the company launched, among other things, an Uber Eats cooperation with White Castle. The expansion shows that platform providers are increasingly integrating autonomous delivery as an additional transport mode. Customers continue to order through the familiar app while the platform assigns a robot based on distance and availability.

For European companies, Serve is currently primarily relevant as a comparison for a platform-based business model. Its main operational presence remains in North America. A model that works in the USA cannot automatically be transferred to Germany because of different sidewalk widths, traffic rules and approval procedures.

Robot.com: Kiwibot under a new name

The provider that emerged from Kiwibot will appear under the name Robot.com in 2026. The positioning has also expanded. In addition to the well-known delivery robot R Kiwi, the company offers solutions for logistics, inspection, advertising and other service activities. The Kiwibot brand therefore remains relevant for older projects and search queries, but is no longer the current company name.

The R Kiwi is designed for food and smaller packages on campus paths and sidewalks. According to information fromRobot.comMore than 500 Kiwi robots processed a total of around 2.4 million tasks. According to the manufacturer, the model works at Level 4 and has six HD cameras, a wide-angle 3D LiDAR sensor and an expressive display. The stated battery life is ten to twelve hours.

The transport compartment has a volume of 19 liters. The vehicles were used with Grubhub, Sodexo and Aramark, among others. Universities are an important target market because they can combine short distances, recurring starting points and a high order density. At the same time, the surrounding area is often easier to map than an unstructured inner-city delivery area.

The display and the deliberately friendly design are intended to promote acceptance. This social component is not irrelevant when it comes to sidewalk robots. Devices whose movements are difficult to understand can confuse passers-by or block paths. Operators should therefore measure not only technical performance values, but also complaints, blocking events and accessibility.

Cartken and Nuro: Two significantly different strategies

Cartken has increasingly shifted its focus from pure food delivery to industrial and corporate transportation. The Cartken Courier can be loudManufacturercan transport up to 20 kilograms and be used for more than 13 hours. The company also offers the Cartken Hauler with a payload of up to 300 kilograms. The vehicles can connect indoor and outdoor areas and interact with doors, gates or elevators.

Cartken relies primarily on cameras and sensor fusion for perception. The robots navigate within predefined areas on HD maps. According to the manufacturer, permanent GPS availability is not required. In special cases, human operators can intervene via mobile communications.

This concept is particularly suitable for factories, pharmaceutical companies, research centers and large corporate locations. Routes, transfer points and responsibilities are more controllable there. Cartken reported an order for nearly 100 heavy hauler robots for industrial applications in Japan in 2025. This highlights a broader trend: commercial campus and factory transport can be scaled more quickly than delivery to any private address. For a broader industry perspective, see AI Robots on Construction Sites: Applications, Opportunities and Limits.

Nuro is now pursuing a different strategy. The company no longer makes sense as a direct competitor to small sidewalk robots. Nuro markets the Nuro Driver as a vehicle-independent autonomy platform for car manufacturers and mobility providers. On hiscurrent company pageNuro reports more than 1.7 million autonomous miles without any self-inflicted incident. For a market-level comparison, the Robotics Atlas provides a structured overview of manufacturers and platforms.

The previous portrayal of Nuro as a manufacturer of a delivery vehicle with a payload of around 225 kilograms is therefore not sufficient for a market comparison in 2026. The company is now more of a provider of automated driving on public roads. Its technology can power delivery fleets in the future, but does not directly compete with Starship, Serve or the R Kiwi in every application.

Where delivery robots are already being used sensibly

Food, groceries, campus and factory logistics

Food delivery is one of the most visible applications. The robot travels from a restaurant or central pickup point to an address within a limited delivery area. Orders that are small enough for a temperature-controlled or insulated transport compartment are particularly suitable. The handover is contactless via an app.

When it comes to groceries, robots can replace short car trips to the supermarket. Starship works with trading and delivery platforms in several European markets. In Finland, Starship and S Group reported one million food deliveries at the end of 2025. Economic success depends largely on the density of participating branches and households.

University campuses offer favorable conditions for early introduction. Routes and transfer points can be mapped, the target group uses ordering apps intensively and many journeys start at a few catering locations. Starship reported an approval rate of 97 percent in its own survey of 5,000 students at 65 US universities. Since the study was published by the provider itself, it should be read as a company study and not as independent proof of acceptance.

In industry, robots transport spare parts, tools, documents or laboratory samples. They connect warehouses, production areas and individual buildings. This is often less about same-day delivery for consumers than about avoiding walking distances and reducing system downtimes. A clearly defined route can facilitate technical and regulatory implementation.

Other possible areas of application include hospitals, nursing facilities, hotels and large residential areas. The prerequisite is a reliable handover concept. A robot that only reaches the building entrance does not solve delivery to upper floors. Doors, elevators, intercoms and access controls remain key integration issues.

Legal situation for delivery robots in Germany

The statement that delivery robots are generally allowed in Germany would be too general. There is currently no simple, nationwide vehicle category that would allow every small sidewalk robot to be automatically used in public spaces. The legal classification depends, among other things, on the design, speed, weight, drive, degree of autonomy and intended traffic area.

The Road Traffic Act and the German Road Traffic Act exist for motor vehicles with autonomous driving functionsAutonomous Vehicles Licensing and Operation Regulation. The regulation allows autonomous vehicles in defined operating areas. Among other things, it requires an operating license, approval of the operating area, technical supervision, a security concept, data storage and liability insurance.

However, these regulations do not automatically solve all questions regarding small devices on sidewalks. Sidewalks are generally dedicated to pedestrian traffic. Depending on the operating concept, road traffic exemptions, special road use permits and coordination with local authorities may be required. Operators must also clarify whether the specific device is classified as a motor vehicle, machine or other technical device.

The introduction is often easier on private company premises, but is not legal-free. Among other things, occupational safety, traffic safety obligations, data protection, machine and product safety requirements apply there. Cameras are not allowed to record people or public areas indefinitely. What is required is a documented data protection concept, limited storage periods and clear access rights.

The following sequence is recommended for a German pilot project:

  1. Legally determine vehicle class and intended traffic areas.
  2. Accurately map the operating area, speed and transfer points.
  3. Involve the road traffic authority, road construction authorities and the municipality at an early stage.
  4. Check operating license, special permit or testing permit.
  5. Determine liability, insurance, data protection and technical supervision.
  6. Demonstrate accessibility and sufficient remaining widths on sidewalks.
  7. Start pilot operation with documented safety and termination criteria.

Legal notice:The requirements must be checked for the specific vehicle and area of ​​application. This overview does not replace legal advice or coordination with the responsible authorities.

Advantages and limitations of autonomous delivery

Potential benefits Practical limits
Electric, locally emission-free operation Production and electricity consumption remain part of the environmental balance
Plannable transport around the clock Loading, maintenance, cleaning and recovery require effort
Relief on short routine tours Stairs and locked buildings remain problematic
Lower staffing per vehicle Teleoperation and local care are still needed
Digital shipment tracking Connectivity and IT security are becoming mission critical
Fewer short car journeys possible There is no environmental impact if predominantly foot or bicycle couriers are replaced

Delivery robots can alleviate staff shortages, but do not automatically replace entire delivery teams. Employees are still needed for loading, cleaning, maintenance, customer service, fleet management and difficult handovers. The greatest productivity effect occurs when several robots are managed by a control center and the number of human interventions remains low.

A positive environmental impact is also not guaranteed. If a short car journey to pick up groceries is replaced, the electric robot can save energy and emissions. However, if it replaces a pedestrian or a well-used cargo bike, the outcome can be less favorable. A serious assessment must therefore consider the actual transport being replaced and not just the robot’s drive.

Other challenges include snow, flooded paths, construction sites, high curbs, vandalism and poor cell phone coverage. A robot that has stopped can also become a problem if it blocks a narrow sidewalk. An accessible emergency team and binding rescue times are therefore part of every operating concept.

How much does a delivery robot cost?

Publicly reliable list prices are rare. Many providers not only sell a vehicle, but also offer Robotics-as-a-Service. Billing is then carried out per month, operating hour, kilometer or delivery, for example. Additionally, setup, mapping, integration and service costs may apply.

For a realistic TCO comparison, companies should record the following items:

  • Hardware purchase, leasing or RaaS fees
  • Software and fleet management
  • Mapping and technical integration
  • Approvals, reports and insurance
  • Charging infrastructure and electricity
  • Teleoperation and control center
  • Loading, cleaning and disinfection
  • Maintenance, spare parts and tires
  • Recovery of broken down vehicles
  • Vandalism, shrinkage and unplanned downtime

Example calculation for the TCO break-even

A simple model calculation shows why the costs per robot alone say little. Assume that the total monthly expenditure for vehicle, software, service, insurance, energy and remote monitoring is 3,600 euros. The robot is deployed for 30 days and makes an average of 40 successful deliveries per day. This results in 1,200 deliveries per month.

In this example, the calculated costs are three euros per successful delivery. If the robot only manages 15 deliveries per day due to low demand, it only makes 450 deliveries per month. If fixed costs remain unchanged, the value increases to eight euros per delivery. Utilization and success rates are therefore more important than a promotional purchase price.

Additional personnel costs for loading may not be counted twice. If a restaurant employee loads the robot during existing working hours, only the additional minutes are relevant. If, on the other hand, a separate transfer station with staff is required, the entire additional effort is included in the calculation.

A resilient pilot should record at least the following metrics: successful deliveries per hour of operation, human intervention per 100 trips, average downtime, cost per order, late deliveries, abandonment rate and customer satisfaction. Equally important are blocked paths, complaints and safety-related events. Only these values ​​allow a fair comparison with bicycle couriers, transporters or internal walking routes.

Market development and outlook

Published market forecasts vary significantly because some studies cover drones, road vehicles and sidewalk robots together. MarketsandMarkets values ​​the global delivery robot market at around $796 million in 2025 and expects to reach around $3.24 billion by 2030. This would correspond to an annual growth rate of 32.4 percent. The numbers are forecasts from a commercial market research company and not official statistics.

Transforma Insights looks at the number of active devices instead of sales. The company expects an increase from around 28,000 delivery robots in 2025 to 559,000 devices in 2035. The large range shows that the market can grow strongly, but its specific size is associated with considerable uncertainty.

By 2030, development is likely to take place in three directions. Small sidewalk robots will grow where retailers and delivery platforms can establish contiguous service areas. Industrial, clinical and campus solutions benefit from more controlled conditions. At the same time, companies are developing autonomy platforms for larger road vehicles.

The decisive progress will not only come from better sensors. Equally important are cheaper remote monitoring, standardized interfaces, automatic loading processes and approval procedures with comprehensible security requirements. Smart city concepts can provide digital maps, charging points and suitable handover zones. On the other hand, completely unregulated mixed traffic with any number of robots would be neither safe nor socially acceptable.

New perspective: The last mile begins at the handover point

Many market analyzes primarily focus on autonomous driving. In real operation, however, the greatest friction losses often occur before and after this journey. The restaurant must complete the order on time, an employee must load the correct robot, and the recipient must be able to reach the vehicle. Every waiting time reduces the utilization of the entire fleet.

For companies, the robot is not the only product. What is crucial is a consistent handover system consisting of merchandise management, app, charging point, fleet control and customer communication. Building integrations that allow robots to use doors, gates or elevators are particularly valuable. Without these interfaces, the robot often stops in front of the entrance.

The economically strongest project is therefore not necessarily the technically most spectacular. A short route between two buildings, repeated hundreds of times a day, can be more beneficial than a well-publicized inner-city experiment with numerous manual interventions. Companies should first standardize the process and then select the right vehicle.

Conclusion

Delivery robots will leave pure demonstration status in 2026, but are not yet a universal solution for the last mile. Starship shows that sidewalk delivery can work millions of times in suitable areas. Serve and Robot.com focus on platform and campus deliveries, while Cartken is expanding heavily into operational logistics. In Germany, approval, accessibility and liability remain key hurdles. Projects with short, recurring routes, high utilization and few human interventions are economically convincing. Decision-makers should therefore test process data before ordering large fleets.

Frequently asked questions about delivery robots

Are delivery robots allowed in Germany?

Public use is possible in principle, but not automatically and not without checking the specific vehicle. Depending on the type of construction and operating area, operating permits, test or special permits as well as special municipal use permits may be required. The Road Traffic Act and the AFGBV apply to autonomous motor vehicles in defined operating areas.

How safe are delivery robots for passers-by?

Modern vehicles use multiple cameras and, depending on the model, radar, LiDAR or ultrasound. In unclear situations, they reduce their speed or stop. A control center can help in special cases. However, actual safety depends on the vehicle, operating area, maintenance status and operating concept.

How much does it cost to use a delivery robot?

Many manufacturers do not publish fixed prices and offer RaaS contracts. Next toHardwareor monthly fee, companies must consider software, remote monitoring, maintenance, insurance, permits, loading and recovery. The decisive factor is therefore the complete TCO per successful delivery.

What happens in the event of theft or a breakdown?

Delivery robots usually have position monitoring, locked transport compartments and a connection to the control center. In the event of a breakdown, the vehicle remains in the safest possible condition. The operator must then organize support or rescue. Response and recovery times should be contractually agreed.

Will delivery robots replace human delivery people?

A complete replacement is unlikely in the foreseeable future. Robots are suitable for short, standardized and level routes. Stairs, locked entrances, personal handovers and unpredictable situations still require people. A division of labor between automated fleet and human employees is more likely.

Sources and further information

  • Starship Technologies: more than ten million deliveries
  • Serve Robotics: Vehicle and deployment model
  • Robot.com: technical information about the R Kiwi
  • Cartken: Vehicles, navigation and fields of application
  • Nuro: current autonomy platform
  • Federal Ministry of Justice: AFGBV
  • MarketsandMarkets: Delivery Robots Market
  • Transforma Insights: Delivery Robots Forecast 2035
Bewerte den Beitrag hier!
[Total: 1 Average: 5]
Nico Nuss [Image content created with AI]
Website

Author Nico Nuss has been working on mobile computing and automation software since 2001. Drawing on his experience and strong interest in future technologies, he focuses on robotics and AI.

Weitere interessante Beiträge