Main points
- Ukrposhta is implementing robotic systems to automate the sorting of letters and parcels, allowing for real-time control of the process.
- Automation is aimed at speeding up delivery, reducing errors, and increasing efficiency without increasing rates, but the company plans to improve service in the “last mile.”
What will the launch of robots change for Ukrposhta customers / Ukrposhta
Ukrposhta has begun to actively transition to automated and robotic sorting systems. The company already has new technological lines in operation, which allow real-time control of the process of processing letters and parcels.
How do Ukrposhta's new robotic systems work?
The company is relying on modern technologies not only to speed up delivery, but also to change the attitude towards state-owned enterprises. Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smilyanskyy said this in a comment to Noviny.LIVE.
According to him, new robotic systems can independently read electronic stamps, barcodes and even handwritten text on envelopes.
Igor Smilyansky
Director General of Ukrposhta
The robot either reads, if it is an electronic stamp or a barcode – reads the electronic stamp or barcode. If it is handwritten text, you see, handwritten text at the top – the index is recognized and immediately placed in the appropriate container. In addition, there is live monitoring of how many letters have been sorted, how many go where. This way we can monitor whether all the letters have arrived, whether they have all been sorted, whether they have all arrived on time.
So now a significant part of the processes that were previously performed manually by employees are being taken over by automated systems.
New systems / photo by Smilyansky
New systems / photo by Smilyansky
Why is automation needed?
Igor Smilyansky emphasized that automation is needed not only for speed of delivery.
We have to show that the state is not always shitty,
– he said.
The company explains that new technologies allow:
- monitor the entire path of a letter or parcel in real time;
- sort correspondence faster;
- reduce the number of errors;
- speed up international delivery;
- increase work efficiency without sharply raising tariffs.
Will 100% automation solve 100% of Ukrposhta's problems? Of course not. Yes, customers are already noticing how quickly we have started delivering, but we still have to work with the “last mile” – branches, post offices, postmen and couriers – to make your experience 100% positive. All this is planned for the coming months, not someday,
– says Smilyansky.
What are the new capacities?
After the launch of the new lines, Ukrposhta has received significantly greater opportunities for processing shipments. The system now allows processing:
- over 3 million parcels per day;
- over 16 million emails per month;
- over 14 million newspapers every month;
- over 8 thousand medicine orders every day.
The company separately emphasizes that automation helps deliver medicines faster and reduce the time they spend in transit.
What does this mean?
- State-owned companies in Ukraine are increasingly moving towards digitalization.
- Logistics is becoming a critically important part of the economy and military resilience.
- Automation helps reduce costs and keep rates down.
- Ukrposhta is trying to compete with private operators not only in price, but also in delivery speed.
Note! Ukrposhta is trying to transform itself from a classic state post office into a modern logistics company. Sorting automation, digital delivery control, and new robotic lines should help speed up work, increase efficiency, and change attitudes toward government services. However, the ultimate success of the reform will depend not only on robots, but also on how much the company can improve customer service.
Robotization in Ukraine: why is it needed?
Ukraine is gradually transitioning to a new model of industrial development, where robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence will play a key role, Focus writes.
Today, automation of production is no longer perceived as a futuristic scenario. On the contrary, it is becoming a necessity for countries that want to quickly restore industry, solve the problem of personnel shortages and increase productivity. At the same time, the development of artificial intelligence also generates anxiety: some people fear that machines will gradually replace workers.
At the same time, supporters of the new system emphasize that robotics should not completely replace humans. Its main task is to take away routine and difficult work, leaving humans with more complex and intellectual functions. This primarily concerns:
- analytics;
- engineering;
- production process management;
- creation of new technologies;
- development of innovations.
Expert Vasyl Khmelnytskyi emphasized that the main value of any transformation remains people.
Vasyl Khmelnytskyi
Founder of UFuture Holding and initiator of the Kyiv International Economic Forum
At the center of all changes are people. This year's Forum confirmed how great the potential of Ukrainians is. Despite the fact that we have been living in a total crisis for almost 4 years, we remain in the country, invest in the economy and take responsibility. Only joint actions and trust between business, the state and society determine what kind of country we will live in tomorrow. The most important thing is to create opportunities for people to plan their future and live with dignity here, in Ukraine.
What industries is robotics already changing?
Automation is gradually covering more and more areas of the Ukrainian economy. Among the key areas:
- agricultural industry;
- logistics;
- processing industry;
- engineering;
- transport infrastructure.
In logistics, digital systems and automated processes can help Ukraine become one of the key transport hubs in Eastern Europe.
What new rules will await Ukrposhta and other operators?
The introduction of VAT on all international parcels up to 150 euros could significantly change the rules of online trading in Ukraine. This is not only about increasing the price of goods from Temu, AliExpress and other platforms from which Ukrainians order, but also about the complexity of implementing such a system.
Politicians and economists warn that the state may not be ready to administer such a volume of small shipments, and the tax collection mechanism itself will create an additional burden on customs and postal operators.
As reported to Channel 24 in Ukrposhta, international shipments worth up to 150 euros now undergo a simplified clearance model. This process is virtually invisible to the client:
- Upon arrival in Ukraine, the parcel undergoes standard customs procedures, is sorted, and is handed over for delivery without the need for additional taxes or separate interaction with customs.
- While the parcel is in flight, its data is processed by the IT risk management systems of customs and Ukrposhta.
According to the company's estimates, domestic shipments in Ukraine remain significantly larger than international shipments in total volume, approximately 6 times. At the same time, the international e-commerce segment continues to grow actively.
Ukrposhta admits that the risk of delays or even system overload due to a sharp increase in the number of customs transactions does exist. However, everything will depend on the VAT administration model.
The most customer-oriented scenario is a model similar to the European IOSS, where VAT is paid at the time of purchase on the marketplace. If the tax is paid after the parcel arrives in Ukraine – during customs clearance or delivery – this will mean a significant increase in the number of transactions,
– the company says.
Ukrposhta News
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“Ukrposhta” has introduced the possibility of cashless payment in all settlements, including those near the front, thanks to mobile branches with POS terminals. The project was implemented without budget funds.
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Ukrposhta sold 13,000 square meters of real estate, receiving over UAH 517 million in revenue. The sold properties include former sorting centers, production buildings, and car depots that are not used after the logistics upgrade.