Autonomous grocery delivery robots could be operating across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole within the next year as BCP Council explores the technology as part of its long-term transport plans.

The small electric vehicles, described as “tiny fridges on wheels”, are being considered under a new pilot scheme included in the council’s latest transport plan, which has a target delivery date of 2031.

BCP Council is already in discussions with an unnamed operator, according to cabinet member for climate response, environment and energy Andy Hadley, who said residents could expect to see the robots “within the next year or so”.

Similar autonomous delivery services have already been trialled or introduced in a number of UK locations, including London, Milton Keynes, Leeds and Sheffield.

The robots are designed to travel autonomously while carrying online grocery orders and other goods over short distances, providing retailers with an alternative option for last-mile fulfilment.

Hadley said safety would be a key consideration in any rollout, with the vehicles equipped with cameras and technology capable of detecting obstacles and responding to changing conditions.

“They have a lot of cameras and means to detect what’s happening and they have various safety mechanisms,” he said.

“If they get into a conflict situation, they can stop, they can speak, and they can also be taken over by a controller.”

He added that a remote operator would be able to intervene if a robot encountered a situation it could not resolve autonomously.

Under the proposals, the vehicles would travel on the left-hand side of pavements in an effort to make their movements more predictable for pedestrians.

The council is also considering how the robots could affect pavement space and accessibility, with restrictions expected in locations where their use could create problems for pedestrians.

Hadley said the authority would be able to place limits on where and how the vehicles operate, in a similar way to controls imposed on Beryl e-scooters.

“As I understand it, they will avoid places where it’s not safe for them to be,” he said.

He suggested restrictions could include speed limits on the seafront and controls preventing robots from operating in areas such as Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens or on roads considered unsuitable for sharing with pedestrians.

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