Korean-style 'Postbot' Pilot Operation... Opening of Autonomous Driving Era at Post Office

Autonomous Driving Delivers Mail Without Driver
Recipient Receives Arrival Time Text
Finds Parcel in Locker After Entering Verification Code

#1. On the 28th at 4:30 PM, an autonomous unmanned post office departed from the Student Union Building at Korea University Sejong Campus. There were no people inside the vehicle; only mail transferred from the Jochiwon Post Office vehicle was loaded. It took about 3 minutes to reach the destination, the Academic Information Center. The recipient, who had previously received the mail’s arrival time and a 6-digit authentication code via the post office app (KakaoTalk, text message), greeted the autonomous post office. He pressed the vehicle’s open button, boarded, and entered the authentication code on the kiosk to retrieve the mail.

#2. Shortly after, another student approached the autonomous post office and pressed the vehicle’s open button. The student submitted mail through the kiosk. After placing the mail in the storage compartment and getting off, the post office slowly departed.

In South Korea, the 'PostBot (mail delivery robot)' is officially launching its service. The Korea Post, supported by the government, completed the pilot operation of the autonomous unmanned post office, mail carrier-following robot, and mail delivery robot on this day, marking the full-scale start of autonomous unmanned mail delivery services from next month.

Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, said at the pilot operation site, "This demonstration event will be a signal flare for realizing the Digital New Deal and preparing future postal logistics services post-COVID-19," adding, "It will play a role in accelerating smart cities."

The Korea Post stated, "It is expected to improve the convenience of postal services, reduce safety accidents and improve working conditions for mail carriers, and provide logistics companies with opportunities to enhance productivity and create new businesses."

Autonomous Unmanned Post Office Service to be Available Year-Round from Next Month

Autonomous Unmanned Post Office

The Korea Post will launch the autonomous unmanned post office service at Korea University Sejong Campus starting next month, gradually expanding the service area. From next year, unmanned mail acceptance and delivery services will be provided on general roads near Sejong Post Office in Sejong City, the national pilot smart city.

The usage of the autonomous unmanned post office is simple. After pre-registering via the post office app, the autonomous unmanned post office will come to the designated location. Then, the issued reception barcode is scanned on the kiosk inside the vehicle, and the mail is placed in the storage compartment. When receiving mail, the recipient goes to the designated location at the vehicle’s arrival time with the previously received authentication code and collects the mail from the already arrived autonomous unmanned post office.

‘Mail Carrier-Following Robot’ Recognizes Carrier’s Uniform and Carries Loads

Mail Carrier Following Robot

The mail carrier-following robot developed by Korea Post carries heavy mail and delivers it alongside the mail carrier. This robot recognizes the mail carrier’s uniform and follows them. Since mail carriers no longer need to carry heavy mail over long distances, it is expected to reduce delivery strain.

The mail delivery robot delivers mail inside buildings to the recipient’s location. When the mail carrier places mail into the delivery robot, a text message with the storage compartment number and password is sent to the recipient. After the robot arrives at the designated location, the recipient can retrieve the mail using the password.

Autonomous Unmanned Post Offices Also Starting Overseas

The introduction of 'PostBots' is a hot topic in the global postal market. Amid the rise of non-face-to-face mail delivery due to the spread of COVID-19, technological barriers are gradually lowering thanks to advancements in 5G, artificial intelligence, and other technologies.

Norway Post has introduced autonomous delivery robots for letters and parcels. Japan’s Yamato is developing an autonomous parcel delivery vehicle called RoboNeko Yamato. Swiss Post selected the autonomous robot from the U.S. company Starship Technologies as a 'PostBot' and completed demonstrations. German Post developed a customized 'PostBot' based on the French company Epedence’s robot. This robot delivers mail and parcels alongside mail carriers in the smart city of Bad Hersfeld. It automatically tracks the mail carrier’s route via sensors and can load up to 150 kg of mail in six post trays.

Minister Choi stated, "We will actively promote the development of non-face-to-face postal logistics technologies through cooperation with autonomous driving companies and support the early application of developed technologies in actual field operations."