Delivery robots suffered a setback this week when New York City made it clear they're not welcome there. On Monday, November 25, just a few days after a FedEx "SameDay Bot" autonomous robot was spotted trundling along a Manhattan street, lawyers for the New York City Department of Transportation sent a strongly worded cease-and-desist letter to the shipping giant, CNN reported. The letter warned FedEx that its last-mile delivery robot breached multiple traffic rules, adding that any further outings made by the machine could result in serious consequences for the firm. "You are hereby directed to immediately cease and desist operating your SameDay Bots on the streets and sidewalks in the City of New York," lawyers said in the letter. "Failure to do so may result in the seizure of the property, notices of violation and/or the commencement of legal action."

FedEx's robot has a top speed of 10 mph and can carry about 100 pounds. A company spokesman said its typical speed would vary depending on the route. The robot relies on sensors typically used on self-driving cars to identify and avoid pedestrians. The SameDay Bot is capable of climbing steps, but customers will need to be home to accept packages -- it won't leave a package on a doorstep or open a front gate. The robot is being developed by DEKA, the Manchester, New Hampshire engineering company owned by Segway inventor Dean Kamen.

For nearly 50 years, FedEx's local package delivery method has largely gone unchanged, but it may soon evolve. The multinational corporation is currently working with the city of Manchester to begin testing a new last-mile delivery method. It involves a highly automated robot, resembling a mini fridge on wheels, that will transport products from local hubs to their final destinations. Thanks to state-of-the-art cameras and sensors, the FedEx Sameday Bot can efficiently cover the last leg of deliveries without a human operator. And because it can travel on sidewalks, this technology could increase shipping speed while reducing roadway congestion – greatly benefiting New Hampshirites.

FedEx is rolling into autonomous delivery, and soon. The company will do a trial run of the SameDay Bot, a robot for same-day and last-minute deliveries, in selected cities this summer, it said Wednesday. SameDay Bot can travel on sidewalks and roadsides to bring you smaller items, and it's based on the technology used in the iBot mobility device. It also uses multiple cameras and lidar sensing to avoid obstacles and negotiate various surfaces. "The FedEx SameDay Bot is an innovation designed to change the face of local delivery and help retailers efficiently address their customers' rising expectations," said Brie Carere, FedEx's executive vice president and marketing and communications boss, in the release.

FedEx Corp. has today announced the "SameDay Bot" – an autonomous delivery service, designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers. Using this machine, retailers will be able to accept orders from nearby customers and deliver items directly to homes or businesses the same day. FedEx is collaborating with companies such as AutoZone, Lowe's, Pizza Hut, Target, Walgreens and Walmart to help assess retailers' autonomous delivery needs. "The FedEx SameDay Bot is an innovation designed to change the face of local delivery and help retailers efficiently address their customers' rising expectations," said Brie Carere, executive vice president for FedEx. "The bot represents a milestone in our ongoing mission to solve the complexities and expense of same-day, last-mile delivery for the growing e-commerce market in a manner that is safe and environmentally friendly."

The robotic contraption rolling down the street just might be delivering a FedEx package to your home or office. That's the vision, anyway, behind the FedEx SameDay Bot that the shipping giant unveiled Wednesday. This sub-200-pound autonomous delivery robot was developed by DEKA Development & Research Corp, whose founder is Segway inventor Dean Kamen. The SameDay Bot is so-named because its mission is to help retailers make same-day, "last mile" deliveries to local customers. FedEx is collaborating with AutoZone, Lowe's, Pizza Hut, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.