Royal Mail is raising its delivery bar. It’s doing this through delivery tracking with cutting-edge digital tags.
The postal service has teamed up with tech pioneer Wiliotfor item tracking across its network, using advanced digital tags for unmatched transparency in transit.
This breakthrough doesn’t just enhance efficiency and reliability—it’s a key step toward Royal Mail’s Net-Zero 2040 goal, helping optimize vehicle use based on parcel volume and significantly reducing fuel consumption.
Pushing the boundaries of delivery innovation
Currently, Royal Mail is completing the tagging of its 850,000 “York” containers, which carry parcels and letters nationwide.
Looking ahead, the company plans to extend digital tagging to individual parcels, pushing the boundaries of delivery innovation even further.
Wiliot tags: Real-time, hands-free tracking
Wiliot’s sticker-like tags contain miniature computers that automatically connect to nearby Bluetooth devices, eliminating manual scanning and providing real-time location updates.
These tags also monitor environmental factors, like temperature and humidity, offering crucial insights as items travel through the network.
This technology is part of Royal Mail’s push to modernize for rising parcel volumes and next-day delivery demands.
Using ‘ambient technology,’ Wiliot powers these tiny computers with surrounding radio waves, enabling continuous, cloud-based monitoring through AI-driven data.
Here’s what this technology delivers:
- Live tracking across the Network: Tags create a real-time digital map as parcels move through 37 mail centers, two automated hubs, and 1,200 delivery offices.
- Proactive problem solving: Royal Mail gains new insight to identify and address any issues along delivery routes.
- Network optimization: Data from the tags allows Royal Mail to refine and enhance its vast network of vehicles and facilities.
Boost reliability and cut carbon emissions
Nathan Preston, tech director for strategy, innovation and data at Royal Mail says It has huge potential, from increasing reliability by allowing us to quickly spot and address any issues in the network, to reducing the company’s carbon footprint by helping to better fill vehicles to avoid wasted journeys.
“Combining Wiliot data with other sources, we can more efficiently monitor the items in our network, without the need for any additional manual scanning,” says Preston.
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Photo Credit: Royal Mail
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About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
