Left: Professor Rakesh Mishra from the University of Huddersfield
A consortium including product development consultancy Fernhay, technology specialist Skotkonung and the University of Huddersfield has announced its plans to design and develop an innovative electric powered bike and walker trailer to help deliver e-commerce packages in the center of London.
The project, entitled Low Impact City Logistics, is part of a £10m (US$12.5m) investment by innovation agency Innovate UK, which aims to improve the efficiency and experience of the end-to-end journey for people and freight. Fernhay will coordinate project after it was awarded the funding following a competitive selection process.
Outspoken Delivery, the UK’s largest cycle-based delivery company, will test the prototype in Cambridge before UPS conducts live trials in London. The design signals the next generation of delivery trailers combining speed, mobility and analytics. The innovative technology from Fernhay has been designed to be “net neutral,” so the weight of the trailer is not felt by the handler, enabling increased last mile deliveries by foot or cycling.
Fernhay enlisted professor Rakesh Mishra from the University of Huddersfield to help develop the sensors and the data analysis system that creates the net neutral effect.
Mishra said, “We are delighted to be part of this exciting project that has the potential to provide substantial costs savings to the freight transport sector as well as significant benefits for the environment. The combination of our expertise in sensor design and analytics, along with the expertise and knowledge of the consortium partners, will ensure that we deliver an innovative technology that will have a transformative effect.”
January 31, 2017