Humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles a must have for Amazon: this week's coolest retail technology plays

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail’ systems launches and deployments from the past week, including Amazon, Rivian, Deliveroo, Manna, Gopuff, JD.com, SuperValu, Simbe, DPD, SharpEnd, Moose Knuckles, and Primark.

r-pac CNCT, SharpEnd, and Moose Knuckles

r-pac CNCT, in partnership with SharpEnd, has unveiled an execution of a digital product passport (DPP) experience for Moose Knuckles at the Global Fashion Summit.

With EU regulation on the horizon, DPPs are a top agenda item for the fashion industry. Yet where some see a compliance checklist, this collaboration aims to reframe the DPP as a creative opportunity to deepen consumer connection and brand trust.

In collaboration with Moose Knuckles, this experience was built using r-pac CNCT’s scalable item level intelligence and SharpEnd’s connected products platform io.tt.

Amazon

Amazon has built an built an obstacle course inside a facility with the aim of testing the ability of humanoid robots to make deliveries of packages via Rivian electric vans.

In a LinkedIn post, Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, said: “This isn’t new information. I broke a story two months ago that Amazon is building its own humanoid robots, and that it’s also testing robots from other companies like Figure. In 2023, I challenged Amazon to automate the back of Rivian vans to make deliveries of packages, food, and snacks. Years earlier I coined the term, hail a store.”

In 2024, Ladd broke stories that Amazon built an automated micro-fulfillment centre that fits in the back of Rivian vans. The vans will be stocked with everyday essentials like toothpaste, razors, over the counter medicines, soda, snacks and groceries. Certain vans will only be stocked with a few types products; prodicts for babies for example.

Amazon is currently testing out the technology. The plan is for it to offer consumers an option to “hail a van” to their location. Consumers will be able to walk out and buy the products they want. Another option is that a robot (possibly a humanoid) will take the items ordered by customers and deliver them to the door of a home, business or apartment.

Ladd commented: “Amazon has no choice but to build software that will allow it to communicate with and leverage robots. The primary impact of AI is that it accelerates velocity across an enterprise or an ecosystem. This means that Amazon has to be able to work 24/7 365 days per year to meet the increased demand AI will generate. It must accelerate the speed of its supply chain and logistics. Humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles are a must have for Amazon.”

He concluded: “Will Amazon be able to leverage humanoid robots to make package deliveries anytime soon? No. A lot of work has to be done first. Is it likely that by 2030 the company will be utilising robots in conjunction with Rivian vans? Yes, that’s certainly possible. However, will they be humanoid robots? Humanoid robots will have to massively improve to make them capable of delivering packages.”

Deliveroo and Manna

Deliveroo has launched drone deliveries in Dublin, Ireland, through a partnership with Manna.

The service is based in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, with Deliveroo conducting a test phase over the coming weeks. It will use the initial weeks to assess how drones can help serve suburban and harder to reach locations, with the ultimate aim of unlocking new customers through fast deliveries, complementing its rider network. 

Over the coming days, customers in a 3km radius of Blanchardstown will be able to order from local restaurants including Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum and Elephant & Castle - flown to customers in as little as three minutes. Deliveroo is aiming to expand the service to more restaurants and launch grocery and retail deliveries within the next six months. 

GOAT Gummies and Gopuff

GOAT Gummies, an organic, vegan gummy snacks developed by former professional football quarterback, and current sports broadcaster and entrepreneur Tom Brady, and rapid delivery firm Gopuff have announced a partnership.

“Retirement’s been a chance to slow down and enjoy life a little more - and that includes treating myself once in a while,” says Brady. “But when I do reach for something more indulgent, I want the best. GOAT Gummies hit that sweet spot: they taste amazing and come in several delicious flavours, plus they’re made with real ingredients. I’ve had a blast creating this new line of snacks with Gopuff and can’t wait for the world to try them.”

Each pack of GOAT Gummies is $4.99 and available exclusively on Gopuff, delivered to customers' doors in as fast as 15 minutes.

Wincanton

Wincanton has announced the first arrivals of 24 new electric powered trucks scheduled to join its logistics fleet this year. The move forms part of the company’s investment in the necessary solutions to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

The multimillion-pound project will see Wincanton introduce battery electric trucks to its fleet. The trucks will hit the nation’s roads this summer. 

The new vehicles, supplied by DAF Trucks, Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks, which will be able to operate at more than 40 tonnes, are expected to reduce Wincanton’s CO2 emissions by 2,400 tonnes per year.

Tennant Company

Tennant Company reports that it has sold its 10,000th autonomous mobile robot (AMR).

It says that the milestone reflects growing adoption of robotic cleaning technology as organizations look to automation to drive consistency, efficiency, and performance across operations.

DPD and Deus Robotics

UK parcel delivery company DPD has partnered with Deus Robotics to create a robotic warehouse automation solution. 

Deus Robotics was selected as one of the finalists from DPD's EcoLaunchpad programme from a global applicant pool of over 100 companies to trial its solution in a live environment. 

This includes custom built AI powered software to operate the warehouse robots, a ross-platform web application, specially designed transportation cages, and Deus Robotics ‘Rack Robots'. Equipped with obstacle detecting technology, the robots help increase productivity by up to five times and can transport racks weighing up to 1,100 lbs, according to those involved.

The solution enables warehouse operators to focus on more high level, value adding, and less physically demanding work, while the robots pick up and autonomously transport the goods. Following the trial, DPD has now placed an initial order for its flagship Docklands sortation centre in London.

SuperValu

SuperValu, a Musgrave Group owned supermarket chain that operates throughout Ireland, has been testing out Simbe’s Tally in-store shelf scanning robot.

A trial got underway in two stores in October. This, according to the retailer, has been “very successful” at keeping shelves stocked.

The pilot is now in its second phase, which has more fully integrated the robots into other systems and processes. Subject to results, SuperValu says it roll-out to further stores.

Primark

Primark has completed a major automation in the supply chain project in Europe.

In a LinkedIn post, Jorge Paloma, Head of Logistics Mainland Europe, said: "After nearly four years of planning, we have inaugurated the fully automated phase two of our logistics centre in Bor (Czech Republic).

This opening represents a big change in our logistics model and also ensures our company's growth in the region for the coming years."

He added: "I would like to highlight the exemplary collaboration this project represents, both with our partners SSI Schaefer and DHL, but also our internal teams, who have given their best to make this opening a great success."

JD.com

JD.com's 618 Grand Promotion kicked off at 8:00 PM  (UTC+8) on 30th May. In the first hour, GMV, total orders and active shoppers increased by more than 200% year-over-year (YoY). 20,000+ brands recorded over threefold growth in GMV YoY, according to the Chinese e-commerce giant.

JD Cloud technology continues to power the shopping event.

In the first hour of the promotion, usage of JD Cloud’s JoyBuild large language model (LLM) development platform surged 242% compared to the same period during last year’s Singles Day promotion. LLM capabilities have been integrated across the entire 618 event.

This year, JD Cloud opened five AI powered marketing tools to third-party merchants free of charge for the first time. Its digital representative technology has served over 13,000 brands, while Jingxiaozhi 5.0, JD’s AI powered merchant service platform now supports 900,000+ merchants.

Elsewhere, JD Logistics deployed its largest ever roll-out of technologies across its national infrastructure.

The company’s solutions, including its goods-to-person systems, autonomous delivery vehicles, automated rebin walls, AI Brain, and smart sorting systems, were implemented at scale with the aim of enabling speedy and accurate delivery in more than 400 cities.