The autonomous delivery robots market is estimated to be valued at US$ 575.2 Mn in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 26.4% over the forecast period (2024-2031). The market is primarily driven by the need for enhanced productivity and operational efficiency across various industries. Autonomous delivery robots offer on-demand and scheduled deliveries without human intervention, thereby reducing the delivery time and costs.
Market Dynamics:
The growth of the autonomous delivery robots market is determined by increasing efficiencies and new applications. One of the key drivers is the need for contactless delivery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Autonomous delivery robots allow for safe, secure, and hands-free delivery of food, medicines, and packages. This is helping various industries meet demand while maintaining social distancing norms. Another major driver is the expanding scope of use cases. In addition to hospitals, restaurants, and retail stores, autonomous robots are finding applications in public spaces, corporate campuses, and residential areas. Various companies are launching new product lines and customizing existing bots to address industry-specific opportunities. While high initial costs remain a challenge, the long-term benefits are encouraging more organizations to adopt autonomous delivery robotics.
Market Drivers: Increasing Demand for Contactless Deliveries Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains around the world and changed consumer behavior significantly. People are increasingly preferring contactless delivery to minimize human interactions and risk of virus transmission. Autonomous delivery robots allow for truly contactless deliveries by enabling the delivery of products right at customers' doorsteps without any human interactions during the delivery process. This sudden demand for minimizing human contacts during deliveries is driving the increased adoption of autonomous delivery robots by many companies.
Market Drivers: Declining Cost of Technologies is Enabling Autonomous Delivery
The costs of key technologies that enable autonomous delivery robots like sensors, cameras, Lidars, onboard computing systems, etc. have declined significantly in the last few years due to advancements in their manufacturing processes and economies of scale. This declining cost of hardware components as well as autonomous software is making autonomous delivery robots more affordable for widespread commercial deployments. Many startups are emerging with innovative and cost-effective solutions for autonomous delivery. This declining cost will further boost the adoption of autonomous delivery robots in the coming years.
Market Restraints: Concerns Regarding Technology Limitations
While autonomous delivery robots have proven capabilities in delivering products on sidewalks and predetermined routes, there are still some concerns regarding their ability to handle complex urban environments and adverse weather conditions. Issues like recognizing different objects, path planning in uneven terrains and operate safely in rain, snow, etc. pose technological challenges. Until these autonomous systems reach human-level reliability, perceptions of limitations may restrain faster adoption.
Market Restraints: Regulatory Uncertainties
Regulatory policies around the use of autonomous vehicles on public roads and sidewalks are still evolving in most jurisdictions. Clarity is lacking regarding legal liabilities in case of accidents, licensing, and insurance requirements for autonomous delivery robots. Different countries and municipalities have adopted varying regulations. This regulatory uncertainty and lack of universally accepted standards create reluctance among companies regarding investments in and large-scale rollout of autonomous delivery robots.
Market Opportunities: Emerging Applications in Last-mile Delivery
Traditional last-mile delivery using human handlers is an area ripe for disruption using autonomous delivery robots. Many companies are piloting autonomous delivery of food orders, grocery orders, packages, etc. to customer doorsteps. Successful pilots indicate significant cost and time savings potential in last-mile delivery through autonomous methods. This presents a huge market opportunity which companies are vigorously exploring.
Market Opportunities: Integrations with Drone Deliveries
There is a possibility of integrating autonomous ground and aerial delivery solutions through technological synergies between robots and drones. Drones can deliver to wider areas and drop packages near designated locations, from where autonomous delivery robots can complete the last-mile delivery. Such multi-modal autonomous delivery networks combining ground and aerial vehicles can unlock new delivery models and possibilities, opening up new strategic opportunities.
Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/autonomous-delivery-robots-market-5147
Key Developments:
- In March 2023, Neubility, a startup specializing in last-mile robotics, announced plans to deploy 400 new autonomous robots without lidar technology. The company also intends to develop a new line of security robots alongside its delivery robot models.
- In December 2022, Hyundai Motor Group is a prominent automotive conglomerate headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. initiated a pilot project for autonomous robot delivery operations in the hospitality sector. Equipped with LiDAR and camera solutions, these robots enable easy object detection and safer delivery to hotel consumers, with a load-bearing capacity of up to 10 kg.
- In August 2022, Ottonomy.io is a company that specializes in autonomous delivery robots designed to transport goods and packages over short distances. launched Ottobot 2.0, a new autonomous robot deployed across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, serving restaurants, retailers, and e-commerce sectors
- In May 2022, Pudu Robotics is a leading company in the field of robotics, specializing in the development and manufacturing of autonomous delivery robots. announced plans to collaborate with Qualcomm is a prominent technology company renowned for its innovations in wireless communications and semiconductor manufacturing. to accelerate product innovation using cutting-edge 5G technology and Artificial Intelligence-based solutions
- In March 2022, JD Logistics, a subsidiary of JD.Com Inc, developed new robots with a carrying capacity of over 100 kg and a travel range of 80 to 90 km per charge. These robots are primarily used for last-mile delivery and transporting heavy-weight products.
Key Players:
Amazon Robotics, Robby Technologies, Robomart, Boston Dynamics, Eliport, Starship Technologies, Panasonic, Com, Nuro, Savioke, Marble, Dispatch, Piaggio Fast Forward, and Teleretail
