Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled new design images and a short-form video of their delivery robot 'DAL-e Delivery' on the 3rd. DAL-e Delivery is a robot capable of making deliveries in complex spaces such as offices and shopping malls. It was newly developed by improving the hotel delivery robot that Hyundai Motor Company and Kia had revealed at the end of 2022.
DAL-e Delivery's design and performance have been significantly enhanced to enable fast and stable delivery even in complicated indoor spaces. First, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia designed DAL-e Delivery in the form of a square pillar with rounded corners, giving it a sleek and luxurious feel. Only minimal sensors are exposed, and the center of gravity is placed at the bottom to improve driving stability.
DAL-e Delivery can reach speeds of up to 4.32 km/h based on four PnD modules (Plug and Drive modules). This speed is similar to the average walking pace of an adult. The PnD module, first unveiled at CES 2022, is a mobility solution that allows free movement. With this technology applied, DAL-e Delivery can recognize obstacles and perform quick evasive maneuvers even in crowded spaces.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia reduced the size of DAL-e Delivery compared to the previous model to enable driving through narrow passages, while expanding the internal storage space. The storage compartment can hold items weighing up to 10 kg and can carry not only box-shaped goods but also up to 16 cups of coffee.
They installed soft lighting inside DAL-e Delivery's storage compartment so that recipients can check the delivered items before the door opens. When the door opens, the storage tray slides forward, allowing recipients to conveniently take out items without having to reach inside.
One of the most distinctive features of DAL-e Delivery is its integration with building elevator and access control systems, enabling the robot to autonomously move across all floors of a building to make deliveries. Additionally, it provides fast delivery services through real-time optimal route formation.
When DAL-e Delivery arrives at the delivery destination, it recognizes the recipient using a camera and automatically opens the door. It applies AI facial recognition technology developed in-house by Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Robotics Lab. The Robotics Lab’s facial recognition technology has been officially certified by the Korea Internet & Security Agency with 99.9% accuracy.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia equipped DAL-e Delivery with an 11.6-inch high-resolution display that shows service status. The screen displays the destination and operational status, allowing people nearby to intuitively understand the robot’s situation. Various facial expressions are also shown to give a friendly impression to customers.
Starting from the second quarter of this year, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia will first deploy DAL-e Delivery at 'Factorial Seongsu' by Aegis Asset Management. Located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Factorial Seongsu is a smart office building scheduled to begin occupancy in April. In May of last year, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia signed a business agreement with Aegis Asset Management to commercialize robot-friendly buildings.
Hyun Dong-jin, head of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Robotics Lab, said, "We plan to expand our business to various spaces such as offices and shopping malls in the future and provide space-customized delivery services in connection with each infrastructure."
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