Underground autonomous robot delivery system goes live

US logistics firm Pipedream has launched the world's first underground autonomous robot delivery system. Orders weighing up to 18 kilograms can be transported.

According to details reported by Donanımhaber, the underground logistics solution aims to eliminate the emission and congestion problems that are the hallmark of current delivery infrastructure.

According to the firm, the autonomous system can deliver more than 95 percent of consumer goods to customers via an underground delivery line at a low cost, with zero emissions and without congestion.

PROVIDES SERVICE FOR WEIGHTS UP TO 18 KG

Although Pipedream's system is futuristic, its operation is quite simple. In its simplest definition, Pipedream's system consists of boxes that carry the load. These are currently designed to accommodate more than 95 percent of products ordered for both delivery and pickup. The portal, which is an above-ground interface equipped with temperature control, can carry orders weighing up to 18 kilograms.

These boxes are then delivered to recipients by an autonomous electric robot. This robotic system reaches speeds of 64 kilometers per hour. According to the Pipedream website, the underground infrastructure beneath the surface utilizes off-the-shelf pipes that form a channel for the rail network, featuring junctions designed for easy 90-degree turns, which enhance the agility and navigation capabilities of its robots.

No extra effort is required to integrate this system into a city. By bringing the delivery system underground and directly to the customer, Pipedream will not only provide convenience but also eliminate traffic, noise, and emissions caused by delivery vehicles on the roads.

While the US is expected to dedicate 40 percent of its traffic to deliveries by 2030, the company's goal is to redirect this traffic underground with innovative solutions. 

News Source: 12punto