Evri's two-legged delivery robot works by rolling on wheels mounted on two articulated legs and stepping when the ground demands it. Iris, a 4ft-tall outdoor parcel machine, uses onboard sensors to move along pavements, kerbs and roads while carrying parcels to the door. Evri built Iris with Japan-based Refined Robotics for last-mile work in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. According to The Scottish Sun, the trial began on residential streets on 28 Sept 2026, as described in the launch report.
Table of Contents
- What moves Iris down the street?
- How does it find its way?
- Why target the final 100 metres?
- What can Barnsley residents expect?
What moves Iris down the street?
Iris combines rolling and stepping in one frame. According to the Association for Advancing Automation, its two articulated legs carry wheels at the feet for travel on sidewalks, kerbs and roads, explained in the automation industry overview. That layout suits mixed residential ground.
Wheels handle smooth pavement efficiently, while legs lift over kerbs and uneven patches. Stairs do not force a handover to a person. Iris is built for outdoor parcel loads. According to Asian Trader, it carries parcels up to 15kg at speeds up to 6km/h, a pace suited to walking areas rather than traffic lanes.
How does it find its way?
Iris navigates with onboard sensors for autonomous movement. The sensors read the street around it and guide rolling, stepping and stopping without a fixed track. According to Post and Parcel, the robot also climbs stairs, handles uneven surfaces, and can enter and exit delivery vans, as detailed in the delivery trade report.
Van entry matters because Iris can start from the vehicle and finish at the door. During the Barnsley trial, Evri pairs autonomy with human oversight. According to Motor Transport, the robot operates autonomously or under remote monitoring while Evri assesses residential performance and courier support.
Why target the final 100 metres?
Evri is using Iris for last-mile delivery, especially the final stretch from van to doorstep. According to The Scottish Sun, Evri calls that final 100 metres the slowest, costliest and riskiest leg. That short walk contains most of the obstacles.
Kerbs, steps, gates, parked cars and narrow paths slow a courier carrying parcels by hand. A machine that rolls, steps and climbs can repeat those trips without fatigue. The practical test is courier support. If Iris takes parcels from van to door, couriers can stay moving, handle exceptions and cover more stops in a shift.
What can Barnsley residents expect?
Barnsley hosts a supervised trial, not a full rollout. The town is the UK's first government-backed Tech Town, which gives Evri homes, pavements and local traffic for residential testing.
For residents, the near-term change is simple: According to ReelyNews and IET EngX reporting, attended and unattended deliveries could let residents receive parcels without missing couriers if performance proves out. Evri is still measuring whether Iris performs reliably beside people, pets, weather and parked vehicles.
- meet Iris at the door for an attended handover
- use an unattended drop when that option fits the parcel
- keep paths, steps and gates clear for access
