Seven-Eleven Japan says it has launched a trial using delivery robots on public roads. The convenience-store operator believes such a service could eventually help it deal with a worsening labor shortage.



Two 7-Eleven stores in Tokyo's Hachioji area are taking part.



Customers use an app to send their orders. Unmanned robots then head to the destinations. Sensors and other features detect road bumps and respond to traffic lights.



The trial is reportedly the first by a major convenience-store operator in Japan in which robots run on public roads. Permission to do that was granted by the local police.



The company hopes that in the future robots rather than humans can make more customer deliveries amid the shortage of workers.



Seven-Eleven Japan Touhara Hikaru says, "In either urban or rural areas, we would like this service to be a means of reaching customers who have difficulty shopping."



The company plans to call on nearby residents to participate. The firm plans to consider expanding the service to other areas after examining the results.