// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Last Mile
The "last mile" in logistics refers to the final leg of a product's journey, typically from a transportation hub or distribution center to the end customer's doorstep.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The last mile logistics segment involves the final stage of goods delivery, transporting products from a local distribution hub or transportation center directly to the end consumer's specified destination, often the most complex and costly part of the supply chain.
SYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Final delivery
- home delivery
- local delivery
- end-customer delivery
- last-leg delivery
USAGE NOTE
Last mile delivery is often the most expensive and challenging part of the supply chain due to traffic, varied destinations, and customer expectations.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Last Mile.
Develops and operates fleets of autonomous, six-wheeled robots for local delivery of food, groceries, and small packages.
Designs and builds custom-engineered, fully autonomous vehicles for the purpose of transporting goods on public roads.
Operates an autonomous drone delivery system for medical supplies and, increasingly, commercial products, enabling on-demand, last-mile aerial logistics.
An Alphabet subsidiary that provides a drone delivery service for small packages, partnering with retail and food businesses to deliver goods directly to consumers.
Amazon's divisions developing advanced warehouse automation and last-mile delivery technologies, including the Prime Air drone service and the Scout autonomous delivery robot.
Focuses on B2B short-haul logistics using autonomous light and medium-duty trucks to move goods from distribution centers to retail stores, optimizing a critical link for last-mile fulfillment.
The drone delivery subsidiary of UPS, certified by the FAA to operate as a drone airline, focusing on healthcare and retail package delivery.
Creates drone logistics platforms for urban and suburban environments, enabling on-demand, automated aerial delivery of parcels, medical samples, and other goods.
Develops advanced mobile robots. Their Stretch robot automates truck unloading and case handling in warehouses, a key step that feeds into the last-mile delivery chain.