​7-Eleven Ramps up Robotic Delivery Testing in Urban Seoul, in Line With Post-COVID Trends

Korea Seven Co. has announced a third testing round for its robotic delivery services, a partnership with Neubility, enhancing urban delivery with robots capable of navigating adverse conditions, set to roll out in parts of southern Seoul this October.

Set to run through October, the third round of testing will see the robots providing delivery services in select areas of southern Seoul. The project is part of the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement's commitment to creating custom service robots to benefit consumers. Depending on the area, a delivery cost will range from 1,000 won (US $0.78) to 3,000 won with a minimum order of 10,000 won.

This project falls in line with the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement's goal of cultivating customized service robots. In 2021, Korea Seven initiated its first pilot run, using the Neubie robot for delivery. The following year, Korea Seven also tested a drone delivery service.

A company official cited the pressing need for short-distance delivery after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the potential of robot delivery service. This move has raised hopes of better and more efficient delivery services as Korea Seven continues to lead the way in technological disruption.

With the short-distance delivery service by convenience stores becoming increasingly essential after the pandemic, the hopes for the robot delivery service are high. The project's success could be a breakthrough for the convenience store chain.

Meanwhile, Seven Bank Ltd, a Japanese lender, is working with Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC) to install 500 additional ATMs at 7-Eleven stores across the Philippines, providing safe and convenient banking solutions to more Filipinos. The alliance, overseen by Pito AxM Platform Inc., aims to blanket over 3,000 7-Eleven stores nationwide by December 2023, marking significant progress after deploying 2,500 ATMs following installation.

PSC's President and CEO, Jose Victor Paterno, expressed pleasure with the partnership that brings modern convenience a step closer to Filipinos. What's more, deploying additional ATMs around the country significantly improves customer experience.

These ATMs are designed to be cash recyclers and can quickly take cash deposits from 7-Eleven stores, allowing users to withdraw the amount when needed. But that's not all, seamless interface functionality adapts to each customer's bank, ensuring familiarity and convenience for users.

Photo: Josh Chiodo/Unsplash