[Experience] "The Elevator Rides Itself"... Hyundai Motor's Delivery Robot Has Something Special

[Hyundai Motor Group Unmanned Delivery Robot 'DAL-e' Experience]
Elevator Self-Calls
Recognizes Human Faces to Determine Boarding
Intelligent Suspension Smoothly Handles Uneven Surfaces

"DAL-e, you get on too!"

In front of the elevator on the 3rd floor of Rolling Hills Hotel located in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. 'DAL-e,' a service robot made by Hyundai Motor Company, stands in front of the elevator. A child who was already inside opens the closing door again and calls the robot. After a moment of hesitation, the robot scans the inside of the elevator. There are three people inside. The robot decides there is enough space for itself and says, "Could you please make room in the center seat so I can get in?" Once the space is secured, it smoothly boards the elevator.

On the 10th, I stayed at Rolling Hills Hotel and experienced Hyundai Motor Group's unmanned robot delivery service. What differentiates the delivery robots made by Hyundai Motor Group, a finished car manufacturer? The DAL-e service robot requires no separate app installation. You just add the order channel as a friend on KakaoTalk. Enter your room number and select the desired menu, and the order is complete. The hotel confirms the order and provides real-time delivery status updates. The robot receives the order and autonomously takes the elevator up to the room door.

Of course, the robot does not press the buttons directly. It calls the elevator or remotely controls the floor via communication with the hotel's main server. When the door opens, it uses a deep learning-based algorithm to recognize people. If people step aside to make space, the robot decides whether to board based on the appropriate number of passengers. If the elevator is full, it says, "I'll take the next one," and waits for the next elevator.

A Hyundai Motor Group delivery robot providing service at Rolling Hills Hotel
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

DAL-e also distinguishes whether the person receiving the items is an adult or a child and provides appropriate screen displays and voice responses. When the person opens the room door and comes out, it automatically opens the storage compartment. After the item delivery is complete, it returns alone to the charging station. All these processes can be monitored in real-time through the hotel's control system.

Another distinguishing feature of Hyundai Motor Group's delivery robot DAL-e is its versatile mobility. This robot is equipped with Hyundai Motor Group's self-developed Plug and Drive module (PnD module). The PnD module is an integrated mobility system combining in-wheel motors, steering, suspension, brake systems, and environmental recognition sensors. It can move diagonally as well as rotate 360˚.

PnD Module Applied to Hyundai Motor Group Delivery Robot
Photo by Hyundai Motor Group

In the hotel lobby and corridors, DAL-e flows smoothly, avoiding obstacles. Even when it encounters uneven surfaces, it neither stops nor falls. It smoothly passes over using intelligent suspension. While obstacle recognition and situational awareness are important for delivery robots, actual driving capability determines practical feasibility. DAL-e is evaluated to possess unparalleled driving ability by maximizing the technological strengths of Hyundai Motor Group, a finished car manufacturer.

Since the end of last year, Hyundai Motor Group has started a pilot project for unmanned delivery service using robots at Rolling Hills Hotel. The goal is to improve completeness by trial-operating a 'last mile' service where the robot autonomously delivers to the front door. Together with Baedal Minjok, they are also conducting an outdoor delivery pilot project at the Gwanggyo Alleyway mixed-use apartment complex. Additionally, they are accelerating various technology developments in robotics, including medical wearable robots, electric vehicle automatic charging robots, and unmanned parking robots. Lee Jae-ho, team leader of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Vision AI Team, said, "We are considering what services to deliver on various mobility platforms," adding, "Solving unexpected challenges faced by autonomous robots through AI technology is the developers' task."