In July 2023, I published an article titled:
“Is Automation Inside Rivian Vans the Next Opportunity for Amazon?”
My argument was simple:
The future of last-mile delivery would not be determined solely by autonomous driving. The bigger opportunity was transforming delivery vehicles into automated mobile fulfillment centers.
Shortly after publishing the article, Daniel Limon and Peter Lowe contacted me. They told me they wanted to build the system I had described in my article. I became an advisor, and Cargo Robotics (CR) became a reality thanks to Pete and Daniel.
CR is arguably one of the most innovative companies in logistics. CR has signed one of the world’s largest parcel carriers as a customer, and several large parcel companies and retailers will soon become customers as well.
Cargo Robotics is unique not because they built a robotic system, they’re unique because they’re creating a new operating model for commerce and logistics.
Parcel carriers still rely on a process that has remained largely unchanged for decades: Packages are manually loaded. Drivers manually search for packages. Drivers manually sort packages throughout the day. The vehicle functions primarily as transportation.
CR changes all of that.
By bringing warehouse-style automation directly into delivery vehicles, CR transforms the van into an intelligent fulfillment asset capable of automatically storing, sequencing, retrieving, and presenting packages.
The impact is significant:
✅ 4 to 6+ hours of labor savings per vehicle per day
✅ Approximately 30% higher package density
✅ Fewer injuries and operational errors
✅ Faster route execution
✅ Lower delivery costs
✅ Improved asset utilization
However, parcel delivery is only the beginning. The long-term opportunity is much larger.
Imagine grocery retailers using the vans to meet demand. Customers can “hail a store” as easy as an Uber.
Imagine pharmacies deploying inventory dynamically across metropolitan areas.
Imagine convenience retailers extending their reach without building additional stores.
Imagine autonomous vehicles, robotics, AI, smart lockers, and humanoid robots operating as a coordinated fulfillment network.
Drones can also be used with the vans.
In my vision, inventory does not wait for demand. Inventory moves toward demand. This is why I believe Cargo Robotics represents the emergence of a new category:
Automated Mobile Fulfillment.
Parcel carriers should pay attention because it offers a path to dramatically improved productivity and a foundation for autonomous operations.
Retailers should pay attention because it creates a new fulfillment model that reduces dependence on fixed infrastructure and increases delivery speed.
Congratulations to Daniel Limon, Peter Lowe, and the entire Cargo Robotics team.
The industry is only beginning to understand the magnitude of what you’re building.