In Germany, an initiative is underway to make certain cargo bikes dedicated to delivery operate autonomously. The idea is to make life easier for delivery personnel by letting them distribute parcels on foot while their vehicle follows in complete safety.
A team of researchers at the Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg, Germany, has developed an autonomous driving technology specially adapted to electric cargo bikes produced by Berlin-based firm Ono. The aim of the Eaasy System project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, is to equip these bikes with automated driving functions for local, last-mile deliveries.
The concept is for the bike to autonomously accompany parcel delivery workers, thereby making for a much more efficient last-mile setup. With this system, the bike moves at walking speed, beside or behind the driver, who can steer it by voice command. It has been programmed to brake in front of an obstacle or a pedestrian, and to never exceed 6 km/h.
With this system, the delivery worker no longer has to pedal the cargo bike and can concentrate on delivering the parcels. The aim is to reduce the physical effort required of delivery personnel, while speeding up the goods delivery process.
In practice, with such a vehicle at their disposal, delivery operatives can decide to drive it manually, like any conventional electric cargo bike, to move quickly through traffic, for example, before switching to autonomous mode on streets where they have deliveries to make. They can then walk from door to door, with the cargo bike following on its own. Using this system, time savings could reach as much as 20%.
The first full-scale test is scheduled for early 2025.
Last-mile delivery is a real challenge when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions in cities. Ono is also involved in another concept, this time developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. Called Sustaineer, it combines the use of an electric van and an electric cargo bicycle. Here, goods are pre-packed in containers specially adapted to cargo bikes, which can be loaded independently into a van or onto the bike, and easily switched from one to the other. – AFP Relaxnews
