Is last-mile delivery by autonomous robots a reality?
A multi-criteria decision-making approach for prioritization of autonomous vehicle modes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22411910 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Đorđije Dupljanin (0000-0002-2090-2138, University of Novi Sad), Sara Jovčić (University of Pardubice), Slaviša Dumnić (0000-0002-6935-3969, University of Novi Sad), Libor Švadlenka (0000-0001-6484-6660, University of Pardubice), Vladimir Simic (0000-0001-5709-3744, Korea University, corresponding author), Momčilo Đobrodolac (0000-0001-8112-8329), M J Dobrodolac (University of Belgrade, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 106 |
| Pages | 102517 |
| Publication date | 2026-08-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Socio-Economic Planning Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0038-0121 • E-ISSN: 1873-6041 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.seps.2026.102517 |
| OpenAlex | W7162771569 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 43 |
The rapid growth of e-commerce and the resulting surge in last-mile deliveries have intensified urban congestion and logistical inefficiencies. Although recent studies highlight the potential of autonomous vehicles and delivery robots to improve delivery efficiency and sustainability, the practical realization of these systems remains limited. Most existing research focuses on technological development or simulation-based optimization, while comprehensive decision frameworks for prioritizing different autonomous delivery modes under real urban conditions are largely absent. Addressing this gap, this study investigates whether last-mile delivery by autonomous robots is a viable and implementable reality. We propose a multi-criteria decision-making framework that integrates the AROMAN and FullEx techniques to systematically evaluate and prioritize various autonomous vehicle modes for last-mile logistics. The proposed approach incorporates multiple evaluation dimensions – economic, technical, environmental, and operational, to support evidence-based decision-making. The methodology is demonstrated through a case study in the city of Novi Sad, which illustrates the framework’s applicability in assessing the readiness and suitability of autonomous delivery solutions in a real-world urban context. Findings from the study contribute to both academic discourse and practical logistics management by offering a structured approach to determine when and how autonomous delivery systems can transition from concept to reality.
Autonomous robot · Autonomous system (mathematics) · Mobile robot · Prioritization · Realization (probability) · Robot · Transportation and Mobility Innovations · Urban and Freight Transport Logistics · Vehicle Routing Optimization Methods
Assessing public opinions of and interest in new vehicle technologies
Big Data Management Algorithms, Deep Learning-Based Object Detection Technologies, and Geospatial Simulation and Sensor Fusion Tools in the Internet of Robotic Things
Last-mile delivering
Towards sustainable last-mile logistics
Developing Policy for Urban Autonomous Vehicles
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |