Japan's 7-Eleven Tests Autonomous Delivery Robots: A Glimpse into the Future of Convenience

Facing labor shortages and an aging population, 7-Eleven in Tokyo trials self-driving robots, paving the way for innovative delivery solutions.

TOKYO: 7-Eleven in Japan has launched a trial of autonomous delivery robots in a Tokyo suburb, marking a significant step toward integrating automation into its operations. The initiative, which commenced on Monday, May 19th, aims to assess the feasibility of these robots in a country grappling with an aging population and increasing labor shortages.

Japan has proactively addressed the challenges of integrating delivery robots. The country modified its traffic laws in 2023 to permit the use of delivery robots on public streets. This shift has spurred various companies, including Panasonic, to explore and test these innovative machines for transporting goods.

The 7-Eleven pilot project involves a wheeled, cart-shaped robot, co-developed by Suzuki, a leading automaker, and Lomby, a Tokyo-based startup. The trial covers approximately 10,000 households in western Tokyo. While 7-Eleven has previously experimented with remotely controlled robots, this marks the first trial of self-driving machines on public pavements.

Customers place orders via a smartphone app, which then activates the robot. The robot proceeds, unmanned, to the specified address at a speed of 6 km/h. These robots are equipped to recognize traffic signals and road signs, and they are overseen by remote human operators who can intervene if necessary.

A spokesperson for Seven & i Holding, the parent company, explained that the trial, scheduled to run until February, aims to augment 7-Eleven's existing delivery service, which currently relies on human drivers. The spokesperson noted, "In five years' time when the labor shortage can further deepen, there is no guarantee that human deliveries will remain viable till then. We have to be prepared."

The chosen location for the trial, Minami-Osawa in Tokyo, presents a challenging environment for many residents due to its hilly terrain and numerous slopes and stairs. This trial will evaluate whether autonomous delivery robots can provide a practical shopping solution for these areas. Business Insider has also reported on a similar trial that 7-Eleven conducted in Los Angeles in 2023, demonstrating a global approach to exploring autonomous delivery.