The Future Mobility Network tests delivery robot

The Future Mobility Network, a Dutch network organization aimed at innovative mobility, has started a pilot project with an electric and autonomous driving delivery robot. The robot will drive around at the Breda University of Applied Sciences and deliver various (non-food) goods between the three buildings on campus.

During the test, students will investigate the impact of the robot, its performance, the behavior of the people around it and its user-friendliness.

Students will test how people react to the robot.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the demand for autonomous driving vehicles; such robots reduce human contact and thus help prevent further spread of the virus”, Logistics Community Brabant, which supports the test, says.

‘Delivery robots have additional advantages’

“Delivery robots also have additional advantages, since they are available for a longer time (24/7), are electric (and therefore sustainable) and take over certain activities to deploy people in a different (and better) way”, LBC comments.

The robot, which is called Lowie – an acronym of “Logistiek op Wielen” (“Logistics on wheels”) – is used to research these aspects as well as the potential of upscaling. The testing happens in collaboration with Future Mobility Network and Airlift Systems from Qatar and is supported by Logistics Community Brabant.

The robot’s name Lowie is short for ‘logistics on wheels’.

Albert Heijn also tested a delivery robot

In March 2019, major Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn announced it would do tests with its own delivery robot. Those robot cars were tested on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, not far from the Breda site.