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Hyundai launches delivery robot pilot programs

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Hyundai Motor Group has started two pilot delivery service programs using autonomous robots based on its “Plug & Drive” (PnD) modular platform at a hotel and a residential-commercial complex located in the outskirts of Seoul.

The delivery robot consists of a storage unit integrated on top of a PnD driving unit. Alongside the loading box used to deliver items, a connected screen displays information for customers.

First shown at CES 2022, Hyundai’s PnD modular platform is an all-in-one single wheel unit that combines intelligent steering, braking, in-wheel electric drive and suspension hardware, including a steering actuator for 360-degree, holonomic rotation. [Read more…] about Hyundai launches delivery robot pilot programs

Mercedes-Benz becomes ‘world’s first’ automotive company to certify SAE Level 3 system for US market

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Mercedes‑Benz claims to have become the world’s first automotive company to bring SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving to the US, with Nevada being the first state to confirm the compliance of the system with state regulations.

This significant milestone sets the ground-breaking Mercedes‑Benz “Drive Pilot” system apart as the first and only SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle authorized for use on US public freeways.

Complying with the requirements of Nevada Chapter 482A for Autonomous Vehicles, Drive Pilot will allow the driver to hand over the dynamic driving task to the vehicle under certain conditions. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz becomes ‘world’s first’ automotive company to certify SAE Level 3 system for US market

Mercedes-Benz claims its ‘Drive Pilot’ is world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology

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Mercedes-Benz says its Drive Pilot automated driver assistance system has become the world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology. The company adds that it backs redundancy for safe conditionally automated driving.

When it comes to conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3), safety and reliability are the top priorities for Mercedes-Benz. Drive Pilot is therefore based on a system architecture that enables safe control of all situations that could potentially arise.

To this end, braking, steering, power supply and some parts of the sensor system are designed with physical and functional redundancy. By adopting this safety‑focused approach to system design, Mercedes-Benz is setting completely new benchmarks in automated driving. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz claims its ‘Drive Pilot’ is world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology

DHL begins trial runs of Cleveron’s autonomous delivery vehicle

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DHL Express has begun testing an autonomous delivery vehicle built by Estonian company Cleveron. The trials will take place in Tallin, Estonia, and use the Clevon 1 electric delivery robot, which has a 100 km range.

This is the second strategic cooperation where DHL, one of the world’s leading logistics companies, will pilot Cleveron Mobility’s unmanned robot couriers to test their use in last-mile delivery operations.

Clevon 1 will be liveried in DHL’s branding and was due to start delivering parcels by the end of July. [Read more…] about DHL begins trial runs of Cleveron’s autonomous delivery vehicle

AECOM to partner with MnDOT and the City of White Bear Lake on automated shuttle pilot

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AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and White Bear Lake on the launch of an automated shuttle pilot within the city.

The shuttle, which has been named “Bear Tracks”, will run for one year on a 1.5-mile route and be free to use, connecting area residents to several community facilities and businesses.

The project will incorporate key elements of MnDOT’s Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Strategic Plan, including enhanced mobility for persons with disabilities, better travel options for elderly communities, and more public awareness of automated vehicle technologies. [Read more…] about AECOM to partner with MnDOT and the City of White Bear Lake on automated shuttle pilot

Wings and Rings partners with Miso Robotics to begin Flippy 2 pilot

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Miso Robotics, the company transforming the restaurant industry with robotics and intelligent automation, has started a partnership with Wings and Rings, a club-level sports restaurant chain serving signature wings and other chef-inspired menu items, to begin a piloted test of Flippy 2 in its Crestview Hills, Kentucky location, with possible plans for further integration in the months ahead.

Built on the Miso Platform, Flippy 2 leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and data analytics to maximize efficiency in the commercial kitchen.

As the first wing concept to integrate Flippy 2 in a real restaurant environment versus a test kitchen, Wings and Rings sees robotics as the next evolution in alleviating the long-term challenges that the ongoing labor shortage has brought to the entire restaurant industry. [Read more…] about Wings and Rings partners with Miso Robotics to begin Flippy 2 pilot

Kodiak Robotics releases new tech to simplify autonomous truck maintenance

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Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, has demonstrated how its proprietary SensorPod hardware “simplifies autonomous truck maintenance and increases truck utilization” by eliminating the need for a specialized technician to replace autonomous vehicle sensors.

As part of a technical partnership with Southern Tire Mart/Southern Tire Mart at Pilot, Kodiak has demonstrated that its pre-calibrated, pre-built SensorPods, which replace the truck’s stock side-view mirrors, can be completely removed and replaced by a mechanic without specialized training.

Servicing and maintaining most autonomous truck sensor systems requires significant time and specialized training, which complicates repairs since long-haul trucks can travel thousands of miles per trip and may need service in remote locations. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics releases new tech to simplify autonomous truck maintenance

Commercial vehicle maker MAN selects Magazino robot for warehouse work

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The robotics company Magazino wins commercial vehicle maker MAN as a customer for a pilot project with the SOTO robot.

The mobile robot SOTO automates the material supply between the warehouse and the assembly line, by handling and transporting small load carriers (KLT) completely autonomously.

The pilot operation started at the Nuremberg site in the engine production for trucks and offers both sides the opportunity to gain experience with the robot for a future live operation. [Read more…] about Commercial vehicle maker MAN selects Magazino robot for warehouse work

Kodiak Robotics and US Xpress to pilot new autonomous truck route

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Kodiak Robotics, a developer of self-driving trucks, has teamed up with US Xpress, one of America’s largest carrier fleets, to launch Level 4 autonomous freight service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta using Kodiak’s self-driving trucks.

US Xpress will become the first cornerstone truckload partner in Kodiak’s Partner Deployment Program, working hand-in-hand with Kodiak to deploy self-driving technology.

This strategic partnership also marks the launch of the first commercial autonomous trucking lane to the East Coast. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics and US Xpress to pilot new autonomous truck route

Jamba and Blendid expand pilot launch of robotic smoothie kiosks to more locations

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Health food and smoothie specialist Jamba and robotics company Blendid have added two new “Jamba by Blendid” autonomous robotic kiosk locations.

The new locations at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia and Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia mark the first Jamba by Blendid openings on college campuses, expanding beyond the current pilot locations in a shopping mall and big box retailer.

The company calls this a “significant step” as Jamba and Blendid continue to explore opportunities to open more Jamba by Blendid kiosks in a variety of non-traditional venues, including gyms, hospitals, airports, and more. [Read more…] about Jamba and Blendid expand pilot launch of robotic smoothie kiosks to more locations