Asda trials autonomous delivery vans in partnership with Wayve
Asda has partnered with startup Wayve to test out autonomous vans as part of the grocery giant’s last mile operation.
The trial will begin in early 2022 and Asda will be the first to commercially test the solution, using Wayve’s deep learning expertise to help navigate complex delivery routes in London.
The vans will operate under the supervision of a Wayve safety driver throughout the 12-month trial.
Alex Kendall, Wayve CEO, says: “Last mile delivery represents an ideal first use case for the Wayve Driver, which can navigate the complexities of urban driving and easily adapt to new routes.”
“We are excited to be working with Asda as our first commercial partner. They have a proven track record of delivering innovations in online grocery shopping that improve customer experiences.”
“This makes them an ideal partner to support the development of autonomous vehicle technology.”
Simon Gregg, Vice President Online Grocery at Asda, comments: “We want to explore how autonomous vehicle technology can enhance our operating model as well as the experience for our colleagues and customers.”
“Over the course of the last year, demand for online groceries has grown significantly, and we continue to push new boundaries in terms of retail innovation and technologies that can help us develop the most sustainable last mile solutions for our business.“
