Founded by the inventors of the DHL Packstation, Innovative Robot Delivery (IRD) is dedicated to addressing some of the biggest challenges in parcel delivery today, such as courier shortages, rising costs, increasing traffic, limited PUDO locations, and excessive packaging waste.
IRD innovative response is Smarcel, a fleet of automated, mobile parcel lockers that brings flexibility and efficiency to urban logistics. Each Smarcel locker can store up to 200 parcels, fitting conveniently within a standard parking space. Loaded overnight at a parcel service provider depot, the Smarcel is deployed to a designated location each morning, where it remains for about 14 hours. Through app notifications, users are alerted to pick up parcels or drop off returns during the day. At night, the Smarcel returns to the depot, for the next cycle.
Smarcel serves as a platform for a broader ecosystem, supporting various advanced applications currently under development:
- AI-powered location optimization software that positions Smarcels near high-demand areas.
- Fully automated loading technology for seamless operations,
- A “closed loop” system for reusable parcel packages between senders and the parcel operator, eliminating the need to involve users with complex deposit systems and costly return networks.
Future expansions aim to transform Smarcel into a multi-functional tool, such as drone hub or mobile vending machine.
After a successful live test with employees of Arvato Bertelsmann, IRD is producing a small series of Smarcel lockers. A pilot with end customers is planned for 2025 in cooperation with a parcel operator.
