Cleveron, a parcel delivery robotics developer, has unveiled its new unmanned semi-autonomous last-mile delivery vehicle, the Cleveron 701, designed for retailers and logistics companies looking to boost last-mile delivery solutions and efficiencies. As the first company in Europe granted a pilot license to operate unmanned semi-autonomous vehicles on public streets in Estonia, Cleveron has been trialing the new vehicle across the country for the last six months. Mass production is scheduled to begin in 2023.
The 701 can drive in low-traffic areas, like suburbs, to deliver parcels within 15-30 minutes’ driving range of a retailer, fulfillment center or dark store. Supervised remotely, it can deliver goods from a warehouse or store to nearby customers within an hour, and the driverless delivery solution also has the potential to reduce labor costs as one teleoperator can supervise 10 vehicles at the same time.
It is also designed as an adaptable, semi-autonomous platform to which an operator can add modifications for serving different delivery needs. For example, it can be modified to operate as a grocery delivery robot with temperature-controlled sections, a parcel delivery vehicle or even a high-tech coffee robot or ice cream truck.
“We are very proud to announce Cleveron’s latest innovation in the autonomous delivery vehicle market. With our new driverless semi-autonomous vehicle, we are enabling retailers and logistics companies to solve complex and costly last-mile delivery challenges while satisfying consumer demand for same-day and, in some cases, same-hour deliveries,” said Cleveron’s CEO Arno Kütt. “Since Cleveron received the first license in Europe to test drive an unmanned vehicle on the streets of Estonia last year without restrictions, we have been amazed at how easily Cleveron 701 has become an organic part of city life. What’s more, consumers can get groceries, parcels, restaurant deliveries or even ice cream from an environmentally friendly delivery robot.”
The Estonian technology company is known for its parcel lockers, robots and grocery kiosks, and according to Kütt, the Cleveron 701 is a new type of venture for the firm. “We are used to building robots where you can go and pick up your parcel within seconds. It is still the future for click and collect, but for us, we wanted to expand even further. Online shopping growth has turned e-commerce into just commerce. It is a natural part of shopping. But the delivery times and costs still present a problem, especially with groceries. Consumers want speed and convenience, but it comes with a cost. With driverless delivery, you can cut the last-mile labor cost. There will also be fewer failed deliveries, since the 701 can be deployed from the local dark store quickly.”