Japan Post Co. unveiled Wednesday a self-driving mail delivery robot as demand grows for minimizing human contact amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Using built-in cameras and sensors, the robot — which is the size of a wheelchair — operated on a sidewalk in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, dodging obstacles such as utility poles, and crossed an intersection with traffic lights.
The robot is in the middle of a series of test runs that began on Sept. 18 and runs through late October. One of the tests involves the robot traveling 700 meters from a convenience store in a hospital to a local post office in about 25 minutes.