Every year the number of orders of different products through online shops increased significantly. At some point we will come to a situation when the current infrastructure and people will be unable to cope with this task. Now many technology companies including large online retailers (such as Amazon) begin to understand the crisis coming and therefore working on new, more advanced ideas and high-tech delivery of products to their customers, for example, using the same Autonomous drones. However, participating at CES-2019 Continental has its own vision of the solution to the impending problem.
Already the main drawback of previously proposed concepts using robotic couriers is that they do not take into account the distance that the cars will have to overcome in order to deliver the goods to the buyer. At the same time, these robots should be compact enough and maneuverable in order to be able to deliver the order in fact to the customer’s door. Continental offers an approach to addressing these issues via two components: an unmanned vehicle the size of a small van and a compact group of robot delivery. The latter will be carried along with the goods in an unmanned vehicle, and then “parachute” next to the desired delivery location and deliver to your door the goods ordered.
The Continental is currently engaged in active development of unmanned Transporter CUbE (Continental Urban Mobility Experience). The company argued that the drone can be easily adapted to the different needs of manufacturers of robots. For example, in his concept of Continental offers the use of a compact robotic dogs, apparently alluding to the fact that the dog is still man’s best friend. Whether I agree with this opinion those who doesn’t like dogs in principle, of course, the question.
In General, the proposed concept is reminiscent of the earlier announced ideas unmanned taxi, only here, instead of people Autonomous transport will transport robot deliverymen. According to the representative of Continental Ralph Laksmana, the idea of using drones and robots delivering though looks futuristic, but quite naturally.
“Both components of this idea are electrified, Autonomous and, in principle, can be built on the basis of the same scalable technologies. This synergy is able to offer amazing potential for the deployment of integrated systems for urban goods delivery. At the same time, the use of similar decisions it will be possible for other tasks,” says Laxman.
As unmanned transport will eventually become an integral part of city infrastructure (whether we like it or not), its operation, of course, will not be confined solely to the transportation of robots and goods. One of directions of development of unmanned vehicles is its versatility. For example, during peak hours adaptable drones could be used as public transport or taxi, and in less busy time the same Autonomous vehicle will be able to quickly change its configuration and profile, and be used for delivery.
– The ability to call and use such cars on demand will not only allow for more efficient allocation of resources of urban infrastructure, but also in the long term can lead to the fact that people will completely abandon personal transport. Do not agree with this opinion? Share your in our Telegram chat.