FedEx and autonomous delivery robot players Nuro have announced a multi-year pilot project to test Nuro delivery robots in the FedEx delivery ecosystem.

The pilot started in April, in Houston, Texas, with Nuro the latest tech company to test its delivery robots with FedEx. The explosion in e-commerce has led to the partnership as FedEx seeks reliable autonomous solutions throughout the supply chain. This could improve efficiency and productivity for the more than 570,000 staff at FedEx.

“FedEx was built on innovation, and it continues to be an integral part of our culture and business strategy,” said Rebecca Yeung, vice president, advanced technology and innovation, FedEx Corporation. “We are excited to collaborate with an industry leader like Nuro as we continue to explore the use of autonomous technologies within our operations.”

Nuro has been working on its delivery robot technology for the last five years including on-road deployment in a number of cities as well as achieving industry-first regulatory approvals. The FedEx pilot would be a major step into parcel logistics.

“Working with FedEx—the global leader in logistics—is an incredible opportunity to rethink every aspect of local delivery. This multi-year commitment will allow us to truly collaborate and bring Nuro’s powerful technology to more people in new ways, and eventually reach large-scale deployment,” said Cosimo Leipold, Nuro’s head of partnerships. “Our collaboration will enable innovative, industry-first product offerings that will better everyday life and help make communities safer and greener.”