Royal Mail and Wiliot Join Forces to Modernize Logistics with Ambient IoT Technology
London, UK – In an innovative partnership aimed at streamlining postal logistics, Royal Mail has teamed up with Wiliot to incorporate ambient IoT technology into its operations. The deployment, now underway, represents a significant step forward for one of the UK’s oldest postal services, which handles over one billion parcels annually.
The initiative is structured in three phases, commencing with the tagging of approximately 900,000 wheeled containers, known as Yorks, using Wiliot’s Ambient IoT Pixels—battery-free devices that harness energy from radio waves. These Pixels furnish live tracking data as the Yorks traverse the country, thereby enhancing parcel handling efficiency and addressing past inventory challenges.
According to Eric Casavant, Wiliot’s Director of Product Marketing, this technology was selected for its scalability and ease of integration into Royal Mail’s existing infrastructure. It is cost-effective and requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal solution for the complexities of national logistics.
The first phase targets rolling containers, with subsequent phases focused on providing visibility into Royal Mail’s facilities and eventually at the individual parcel level. Early results indicate a reduction in missing Yorks—around 10% were previously unaccounted for—and a more optimized distribution model across nearly 5,000 locations.
As the partnership progresses, Royal Mail plans to expand visibility across its network, paving the way for real-time parcel tracking. This move not only enhances customer service by providing predictable delivery times but also improves operational efficiency by allowing for better vehicle utilization and route optimization.
With this collaboration, Royal Mail and Wiliot are set to redefine the future of postal logistics, potentially transforming how goods are tracked and managed in the supply chain.
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