FedEx is calling it quits on its cute but mostly ineffective "Roxo" last mile autonomous delivery robot. The move comes just weeks after Amazon ended field tests and gutted the team working on its Scout delivery robot. Sriram Krishnasamy, the package delivery giant's Chief Transformation Officer, reportedly broke the news to staff of Roxo's shattering last week as part of a broader internal organizational program called DRIVE, according to emails first obtained by Robotics 24/7. "Although robotics and automation are key pillars of our innovation strategy, Roxo did not meet necessary near-term value requirements for DRIVE," Krishnasamy reportedly wrote. "Although we are ending the research and development efforts, Roxo served a valuable purpose: to rapidly advance our understanding and use of robotic technology." FedEx did not immediately respond to Gizmodo's request for comment but told Robotics 24/7 it's shifting away from Roxo, in part, to focus on, "several nearer-term opportunities."

FedEx and Nuro are teaming up to test autonomous delivery vehicles. The companies signed a multi-year, multi-phase agreement to pilot Nuro's autonomous delivery vehicles in the Houston area. The pilot, which will start in April 2021, marks Nuro's expansion into parcel logistics and allows FedEx to explore various use cases for on-road autonomous vehicle logistics, including multi-stop and appointment-based deliveries. Tackling the challenges of last-mile delivery has been a priority for FedEx and other logistics companies for years. These challenges have only grown with the rapid growth of e-commerce combined with the ongoing labor shortages across the logistics sector.

New Yorkers got their first glimpse of FedEx's delivery robot last week, when a prototype named'Roxo' was given a day out in Manhattan. But far from being welcomed by residents, the six-wheeled droid was promptly presented with a cease-and-desist order by the city. A long-standing ambition for many tech firms, delivery robots is finally getting close to becoming a reality. FedEx has trialled the bots in several U.S. cities including Memphis, Manchester and New Hampshire, before bringing one to New York City. Although the robot's trip out in New York was just a marketing stunt, rather than an actual trial, it has already attracted feedback from some residents - namely mayor Bill de Blasio.