Seven-Eleven Japan has launched a pilot program using autonomous delivery robots on public roads in Hachioji, Tokyo, in a forward-looking effort to address potential future shortages of delivery personnel. The trial, which started this month, involves two stores—Minami Osawa Ekimae and Hachioji Minamiosawa—and is scheduled to continue through February 2026.
The service allows customers within a 3-kilometer radius to order from a selection of approximately 3,000 products. Orders can be placed daily between 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with a delivery fee of ¥330, tax included. Store employees pack the items into the robot, and customers receive their goods by scanning a QR code at delivery.
Developed by Tokyo-based startup Lomby Inc., the autonomous robot operates at a maximum speed of 6 kilometers per hour. It navigates public roads independently while being remotely monitored for safety. The company aims to provide a reliable and contactless delivery experience as demand for home delivery continues to rise.
The initiative was spurred in part by staffing limitations that have forced some stores to suspend nighttime delivery services. By trialing robotic solutions, Seven-Eleven hopes to future-proof its logistics capabilities and maintain service availability across its network.
“We will verify both the demand and the practical operations to evaluate the possibility of implementing this service across our national store network,” said a Seven-Eleven Japan official.
Source: Japan News
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
