Seven-Eleven Japan begins testing autonomous robot deliveries in Tokyo to combat potential future delivery staff shortages and expand last-mile logistics.
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| Seven-Eleven Japan is piloting a robot-based delivery service in Tokyo, aiming to expand nationwide amid growing labor shortages in logistics. Image Courtesy: JN |
TOKYO, Japan — May 20, 2025:
Seven-Eleven Japan has launched a pilot program testing autonomous delivery robots on public roads, marking a significant step in its strategy to counter anticipated shortages in delivery staff. The trial, underway at two stores in Hachioji, Tokyo—Minami Osawa Ekimae and Hachioji Minamiosawa—is scheduled to continue through February 2026.
The unmanned service covers households within a three-kilometer radius and offers around 3,000 products for delivery. Orders are accepted daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a delivery fee of ¥330 (tax included). After store staff pack the orders, customers receive their goods by scanning a QR code upon the robot’s arrival.
The delivery robot, developed by Tokyo-based startup Lomby Inc., operates autonomously at speeds of up to six kilometers per hour and is remotely monitored to ensure safety and precision. The service allows for efficient last-mile delivery without the need for human couriers, a timely innovation as some stores face limitations on nighttime delivery due to staff shortages.
An official from Seven-Eleven Japan explained, “We will verify both the demand and the practical operations to evaluate the possibility of implementing this service across our national store network.”
As Japan grapples with a shrinking workforce and rising demand for on-demand delivery services, this robotic initiative could represent a transformative step in the retail and logistics sectors. If successful, Seven-Eleven may deploy the system in other regions, positioning itself at the forefront of automated delivery innovation.