Belgian retailer Colruyt Group will trial home delivery of groceries using unmanned electric vehicles in the city of Leuven.

The trial, which runs from mid-May until August, will be the first time an unmanned vehicle has operated on Belgian public roads without following a fixed route.

In the coming weeks, the vehicles will drive through Leuven to map out its route. From mid-May, residents within a certain postcode will be able to request delivery when shopping online through Colruyt’s Collect&Go service.

To support safety, the vehicles have a maximum speed of 25 km per hour, use multiple cameras to monitor their surroundings, and be monitored remotely via 5G.

Each vehicle is equipped with short and long range radar systems that measure distances and detect obstacles such as cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

An operator can control the vehicle remotely via a secure 5G connection that is isolated from other data traffic on the mobile network.

The vehicle can carry two orders. Customers use a unique code to open the vehicle when it arrives. After completing a delivery, it returns to a pick up point in Kessel-Lo to be loaded with more orders.

Colruyt said the scheme responds to changing urban mobility needs and the challenges linked to home delivery in city environments.

In the longer term, the retailer wants to explore how safe and low emission autonomous transport on public roads can be introduced in urban areas, in collaboration with local and federal authorities.

“In a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, we continuously look for ways to organise the last mile as efficiently and sustainably as possible,” said Tom De Prater, director at Collect&Go. “The cost of these final kilometres is high, and urban mobility presents challenges. Investing in innovation and creative solutions is crucial.”

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