Couriers and Messengers

In delivery centers today, machines already handle many sorting jobs. For example, new postal package‐sorting machines can process thousands of packages per hour – about 12 times faster than manual work ^[1]. Big companies like Amazon use robots to move and sort boxes in warehouses ^[2].

Drivers also get help: almost all use smartphone GPS and route‐planning apps to find the best way. On the street, though, most deliveries are still done by people. A few companies are testing robot couriers.

In the UK, Uber is starting to use self‐driving delivery bots in some cities ^[3]. In the US, companies like Serve Robotics use small sidewalk robots and even drones in pilots (for food and small packages) ^[3]. These projects show AI and robots can do parts of the courier’s job, but they are mostly limited trials right now.

In many places, a real person still delivers the package to your door.

It may take time for full automation. Robots and drones are expensive and often need special rules. For example, tests found drone deliveries hard in cities because they need safe takeoff space ^[3].

Uber’s robot deliveries are only starting in a few cities with careful limits ^[3]. Companies are investing billions (like the US Postal Service buying electric vehicles ^[3]), but driverless delivery is not common yet. Right now, many businesses see AI as a helper, not a replacement.

In Amazon warehouses, for instance, robots carry parcels but “wait for humans to scan a new package [and] load the robots once again” ^[2]. This teamwork lets people do tasks machines struggle with – talking to customers, solving problems, or handling tricky packages. In short, AI can handle heavy lifting and planning, but human couriers still use important skills like care, flexibility, and communication.

As technology grows, people imagine humans and machines working together to make deliveries faster and safer ^{[1] [2]}.