Ocado to invest in self-driving vans and robots

British online supermarket Ocado invests 10 million pounds (12 million euros) in Oxbotica, which develops software for autonomous vans and robots.

Autonomous last mile

In collaborating, the two companies want to build autonomous vehicles for themselves and for other parties, including delivery vans, forklift trucks, and even roots. “We want the entire end to end operation, ultimately, to be autonomous – from the receipt of stock to the warehouse all the way through to the customer’s door”, the BBC quotes Ocado’s head of advanced technology Alex Harvey.

The collaboration between Ocado and Oxbotica is not new: four years ago, the online supermarket already tested the Oxford-based company’s technology for a project with driverless deliveries in London, the BBC reports. This week’s investment rather suggests that these tests have been satisfactory…

Ever more, Ocado is developing from an online supermarket into a technology platform that also develops logistics solutions for other companies to use. The company has developed its own robots to pick and pack groceries in its high-tech distribution centres. Even American retail giants such as Kroger use Ocado’s technology in its fulfilment chain.