A robot that uses the same technology as self-driving vehicles is transporting medicines around hospitals as part of a new trial. The'helper bot' is being used to carry and deliver prescriptions and other items around Milton Keynes University Hospital, helping to relieve pressure on human staff. It is the creation of British firm Academy of Robotics, which has already worked on autonomous technology for its'Kar-Go' self-driving vehicle. Just like Kar-Go, the bot uses sonar and LiDAR technology to navigate around obstacles such as people, wheelchairs and beds inside the hospital. The robot uses a combination of three types of sensors to see both into the distance and to understand how close objects are and how they are moving in relation to its own path.

The Royal Air Force is testing its own autonomous vehicle to deliver supplies around a base in Oxfordshire to'free up personnel from mundane tasks'. Its specially-designed self-driving car, called Kar-Go, is a zero-emissions delivery vehicle capable of travelling at speeds of up to 60 miles/hour. It's been zipping around the Royal Air Force base of Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, delivering tools, equipment and supplies to personnel as part of a trial. When arriving at its destination on the base, RAF personnel meet Kar-Go and a hatch is automatically released enabling them to collect the cargo. Slightly odd in appearance, Kar-Go looks a bit like a gigantic green computer mouse with protruding wheels, complete with flashing lights and a spacious boot.

THE UK'S first autonomous delivery vehicle has hit the roads - giving a glimpse into how technology is set to transform the parcel delivery industry. Kar-go, a state-of-the-art self-driving delivery bot built by Academy of Robotics, uses artificial intelligence and a specially developed package management system to provide contact-free delivery. Thanks to its unique vision system, the electric vehicle is capable of delivering in both city-centres and suburban and rural locations. Capable of covering 60 miles - more than the average daily delivery round - fully loaded on a single charge this type of electric delivery bot could dramatically reduce the environmental impact of parcel deliveries. In a landmark first journey, the machine successfully transported medical supplies from a pharmacy to a care home in Hounslow, Greater London.

You have bought a small product online from your favorite retailer. Your cart value is at £4.99, now you are at the checkout and the delivery fee is an additional £7.99 on top. The scenario above represents a snapshot of one of the largest problems in online retail. With trillions of dollars spent online annually, when you buy something online, a large chunk of the cost of most shopping carts goes towards delivery. It is widely agreed by industry leaders that the global solution is to automate the last-mile delivery process, thus completely removing the human cost of delivery.