First Unveiling of Indoor and Outdoor Delivery Robot Based on PnD Module
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Hyundai Motor Group has developed next-generation delivery service robots based on core future automotive technologies such as electrification and autonomous driving.
On the 13th, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it has started a pilot project for autonomous driving delivery services using robots at the mixed-use complex "Gwanggyo Alleyway" in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and the "Rolling Hills Hotel" in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.
The robots deployed for the delivery service were built based on the Plug and Drive module (PnD module) unveiled by Hyundai Motor Group at CES in January this year.
The PnD module, which allows free movement, is combined with autonomous driving technology to find optimized routes in given environments and deliver items. Additionally, it can naturally avoid obstacles without stopping, enabling faster and safer delivery compared to existing service robots.
The delivery robot consists of a storage unit mounted on the PnD module, which is the lower driving unit responsible for propulsion, allowing it to store and carry items. A screen can be installed on the upper part according to its purpose to provide necessary information to customers. It can also be equipped with shelves to deliver items needed by customers.
The recently launched service at "Gwanggyo Alleyway" is a D2D (Door to Door) method where the robot accurately finds the apartment unit number and delivers food ordered by customers from the shopping center connected to the mixed-use complex right to the front door of each household.
The delivery robot opens the shared entrance door via wireless communication to enter the apartment building, calls the elevator by linking with the elevator control system, and then delivers to the ordered unit.
This service is part of a business agreement signed in March last year between Hyundai Motor Group and Woowa Brothers for research and development of delivery logistics robots. Hyundai Motor Group plans to continuously improve technology and services through various pilot operations in outdoor delivery robot service sites.
Additionally, the pilot operation at the "Rolling Hills Hotel" is conducted from 8 PM to 10 PM with the purpose of discovering various services specialized for lodging facilities and advancing the technology.
Guests can order simple food, beverages, and amenities through a KakaoTalk chatbot without installing a separate app. The robot directly delivers the ordered items or food to the guest’s door, and real-time delivery tracking is also available.
The delivery robot used in the hotel applies deep learning-based algorithms to recognize the environment and identify people. It detects the opening of the ordered room’s door and recognizes people, automatically opening the storage compartment without the customer having to touch it. It distinguishes service target customers and outputs appropriate screens and voice messages.
Moreover, it links signals with the elevator to move between floors without human assistance. It can also assess the number of people inside the elevator and decide to wait for the next elevator if boarding is difficult.
The technology enabling robots to freely move indoors and outdoors and deliver food to the front door without human help is significant as a last-mile delivery innovation attracting attention in the logistics and distribution industries.
According to the distribution industry, last-mile delivery?the final stage of transporting goods by elevator to the doorstep?accounts for 53% of the total cost in the entire product transportation process, greatly impacting overall distribution efficiency.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to supplement the service based on the results of this pilot project and gradually expand the number of operating robots and service hours.
Hyun Dongjin, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Lab, said, “The delivery robot developed based on the PnD module, which can be shared, applies autonomous driving capable of smooth avoidance, enabling faster and safer delivery even in complex environments. Through this pilot project, we plan to steadily expand the business to various spaces requiring delivery services, such as large resorts.”
A representative from Woowa Brothers stated, “Robot delivery services are expected to create new order demand by being utilized in ultra-short-distance deliveries or mixed-use complex deliveries where dispatch is difficult due to last-mile delivery issues. We are confident that the cooperation between Hyundai Motor Group and Woowa Brothers will be a turning point for advancing the delivery service industry.”
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