They look like something out of a sci-fi film but robot-style delivery vehicles will soon become a regular sight on Brentford's streets.

Hounslow is to be the first location in the UK to trial autonomous electric delivery vehicles on its roads.

Named Kar-go, the vehicles will be able to provide contact-free delivery for everything from shopping to prescriptions.

The Kar-go, designed by British start-up, Academy of Robotics, will be the first custom-built autonomous delivery vehicle to travel on the roads in the UK.

The vehicle will make its first deliveries from pharmacies to care homes and will later introduce deliveries from a depot to work sites for Hounslow Highways, part of Eurovia UK's businesses maintaining the road network across the UK

Yogesh Patel, Innovation Director for Eurovia UK said: "We are delighted to be supporting this trial, by providing an opportunity to work in a live carriageway environment.

"Our teams deliver highway maintenance and improvement schemes up and down the country, so we know highways.

"This partnership is about marrying our expertise on the highway, with Academy of Robotics' expertise in AI, design and entrepreneurial skills.

"We both bring something important to the trial, which could, ultimately revolutionise last-mile deliveries and enable us to re-think highways."

Councillor Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said: "We couldn't be happier that Hounslow is to be the location for this ground-breaking trial.

"Harnessing technology and robotics to develop efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly solutions such as the Kar-go delivery vehicle is a great step forward."