Smart robotic vehicles for the urban deliveries of the future

About the project

As e-commerce grows, so does the pressure on our cities. More parcels will be delivered, at the same time as climate requirements are tightened and car-free zones are becoming more common. Traditional vans have difficulty getting around in city centres, which creates both congestion and emissions. To cope with the deliveries of the future, new, smarter solutions are required.

This research project explores a completely new concept for urban logistics: Tri-Mode Mobility (3MM). It is a collaborative delivery vehicle that can be used in three ways – manual, semi-autonomous and fully autonomous. The same vehicle can thus be driven by a human, cooperate with the driver or drive himself, depending on the situation. The switching between modes is seamless and makes the solution flexible even in complex urban environments.

Unlike today's delivery robots, the focus is not on replacing humans, but on the interaction between humans and machines. Many stages of the supply chain still require human presence, such as at gates, stairs and elevators. The 3MM vehicle is therefore designed to understand and cooperate with the driver, both when sitting on the vehicle and when walking next to it.

The delivery robot is being developed by Levtek with the support of Sony. PostNord is a need owner, who sees great potential in using 3MM vehicles for the last kilometers of deliveries. RISE contributes with research on legality, product safety and human-machine interaction.

By reducing the need for vans in urban areas, the solution can contribute to lower emissions, increased road safety and more vibrant urban environments. At the same time, new knowledge is being developed about technology, safety and regulations that can pave the way for the sustainable transport of the future – in Sweden and in the rest of Europe.