Last-mile delivery robotics company Refraction AI has developed a delivery bot designed to operate in bike lanes and on roads, eliminating pavement clutter issues.
The company’s REV-1 prototype has been built on a bicycle foundation with top speeds of 15mph, enabling it to keep up with e-bikes.
The robot’s perception system consists of 12 cameras as well as radar and ultrasound sensors, a package that, according to the company, costs a fraction of the lidar sensors used in other autonomous delivery systems.
Refraction CEO Luke Schneider said: “Our platform uses technology that exists today in an innovative way, to get people the things they need, when they need them, where they live.
“And we’re doing so in a way that reduces business’ costs, makes roads less congested, and eliminates carbon emissions.”
Refraction is currently trialling a small fleet of the delivery bots in its native Ann Arbor, Michigan. It recently raised US$4.2m (£3m) in seed round funding, which will be used for geographic expansion and further product development throughout 2021.
Schneider added: “Last-mile delivery is the quintessential example of a sector that is ripe for innovation, owing to a powerful confluence of advancing technology, demographics, social values and consumer models.
“Conventional approaches have left businesses and consumers with few choices in this new environment as they struggle to keep pace with surging demand – burdened by the costs, regulatory, and logistical challenges of a legacy infrastructure.”
