Courier giant DPD has unveiled its new AI-powered delivery bot that can drop off packages to customers all by itself.
The new 'locker' robot, dubbed 'Ottobot', is capable of carrying up to 70kg of packages and has hit the streets of Milton Keynes.
Motoring along at walking pace, the state-of-the-art four-wheeled courier has eight separate compartments that can store parcels.
It uses a suite of hi-tech sensors - including light detection and ranging 'lidar' cameras that can create 3D maps of environments - to navigate its way around.
However, unions representing couriers fear the new tech could sound the death knell of the traditional delivery driver, sparking job losses and a decline in working conditions for staff.
Ottobot is the largest space-aged courier in DPD's fleet, with the firm having operated smaller autonomous robots in Milton Keynes since 2022.
Similar schemes for smaller robo-couriers have been introduced by DPD in Raunds, Bristol and Lincoln.
The new robot, made by tech firm Ottonomy, will be based at DPD's depot in Knowlhill and navigates the city's traffic-free Redway network.
Packing a six-hour battery life, it is able to shuttle up to eight deliveries to local residents during each run.
Customers are alerted by text when Ottobot arrives at their home, with parcel recipients able to type in a one-time pin code to access their delivery.
Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability at DPDgroup UK, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to be deploying locker robots in the UK.
'This is the next chapter for us in terms of autonomous deliveries after a very successful roll-out across a number of different locations.'
He added: 'It's well over two years now since we began autonomous robot deliveries and the customer feedback continues to be incredibly positive.'
However, the growing number of delivery bots have been introduced by companies in recent years have left some uneasy.
Couriers' unions fear they bring the looming risk of job cuts and worsening conditions for delivery riders and drivers.
Ahmed Uhuru Hafezi, from the Couriers Branch of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), said: 'Delivery companies already treat their workers like robots so it's not surprising that they are showing more and more interest in automation.
'Instead of throwing money at new technologies, companies must consult with workers and their unions to ensure that automation does not lead to job losses or burden us with extra responsibilities in what is already a demanding job.'
Ritukar Vijay, founder and chief executive of Ottonomy, the firm behind the new robot, said it was 'fantastic to see Ottobot deployed in the UK'.
He added: 'Our autonomous robot technology is designed to help brands meet customers' ever-changing demands in new ways and provide the scalability to be a truly effective solution.'
