FedEx partners Singapore startup QuikBot to deploy robots for deliveries in commercial areas

Courier and logistics giant FedEx has partnered home-grown startup QuikBot Technologies to deploy autonomous delivery robots to commercial areas in Singapore and to address the challenges plaguing deliveries in urban areas.

The tie-up is part of FedEx’s efforts to improve last-mile delivery in the city state by integrating automation into deliveries, thus streamlining courier operations and saving time, said the company on Friday (Jul 11).

It does so by eliminating wait times in lift lobbies and security checkpoints, so couriers can move on quickly to their next stop and prioritise time-sensitive deliveries, said FedEx.

Alan Ng, founder and chief executive officer of QuikBot Technologies, said of the challenges in last-mile deliveries: “Last-mile logistics is one of the most expensive and inefficient segments in the supply chain, plagued by labour shortages, rising emissions, and mounting delivery demands.”

Eric Tan, managing director of FedEx Singapore, added that delivering in dense urban environments such as Singapore’s calls for the use of technology.

By improving operational efficiency, QuikBot’s technology addresses the challenges that plague deliveries in dense urban areas, said Ng.

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Under the collaboration, FedEx couriers drop off parcels at QuikBot’s forward fulfilment depots in selected buildings clusters. There, QuikBot staff verify and load the parcels into secured QuikBoxes. At this point, the robots enter the picture.

Guided by artificial intelligence agents, these QuikBots can navigate lifts and access individual floors, accomplishing contactless deliveries without human assistance.

QuikCat, a short-distance autonomous robot designed for quick deliveries, manages shorter distances and floor-to-floor deliveries. QuikFox, a mid-distance autonomous robot that can carry up to three QuikBoxes per trip, manages transfers between buildings and hands the QuikBoxes to QuikCats for last-mile delivery.

The partnership follows a six-month pilot in two commercial areas – South Beach Tower and Mapletree Business City.

The delivery robots are now in service in both places. They are expected to be set to work in more commercial buildings in Singapore by end-2025, FedEx said.