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The 'Last Mile' In China Crowded With Delivery Robots

Fleets of autonomous delivery vehicles are crowding the famous "last mile" of deliveries:

The "Delivery Robot" from "Podkayne of Mars", by the incomparable Robert Heinlein, published by Worlds of IF in 1962, as far as I know the first instance of the phrase "delivery robot".

It's just a matter of time before we get to the standard cited by Philip K. Dick in Project Plowshare:

A spic-and-span-new shiny autonomic ’stant mail delivery robot stood there, waiting.

“Yes?” Febbs inquired.

The ’stant mail robot whirred, "Parcel for Mr. Surley Grant Febbs. Registered. Sign here if you are Mr. Febbs or if not Mr. Febbs then on line two instead.” It presented a form, pen and flat surface of itself on which to scribble.

Laying down the hammer Febbs said, turning briefly to the other five concomodies, “It’s okay. More tools we ordered, probably.” He signed the form, and the autonomic ’stant mail delivery robot handed him a brown-paper-wrapped package.

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