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  • Author Author: Catwell
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These Two Robots Are Set to Deliver Packages

Catwell

Agility Robotics has unveiled a new robotic model called "Digit." The company's robot is the first one to have four-degree-of-freedom arms that can be used for balance, pushing doors and lifting up boxes that weigh 40 pounds. The design is also sleeker than other humanoid bots. The pricing for Digit will be released in mid-2019 and deliveries will start in the first quarter of 2020.

 

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Agility Robotics’ new robot model could help deliver packages in the future. (Image Credit: Agility Robotics)

The bipedal system is very similar to the company's last model, named Cassie. The differences between the two bots are that Digit has integrated sensors including a LiDAR system, whereas Cassie only navigated around by feel and didn't have any sensors to guide it. Digit also has a new control system that will allow it to move around cluttered rooms or climb stairs.

 

It will also take some time for Digit to catch up to the Atlas bot designed by Boston Dynamics - which has a variety of mobility controls. It can leap, do Parkour and even backflip. There is always room for the bot to learn more tricks since it's still new. What's even better is the robot is fully functional 5 minutes after being taken out of the box.

 

Agility also has big plans for the robot in the delivery, telepresence, entertainment and various other sectors. Their impact could make changes to lifestyle and traffic patterns where the robots can change the logistics and package delivery. It could take a while for Digit to help make deliveries, but they would reduce the use for vehicles and autonomous wheeled robots.

 

FedEx is also entering the same brand of technology by creating a small vehicle called SameDay Bot that can travel on its own along sidewalks and roadsides. They aim to help retailers make same day and last mile deliveries to customers. It will be using the same technology found in mobility devices, called iBot. The bot will include multiple cameras, pedestrian-safe tech, LiDAR and machine learning, helping it to avoid obstacles and navigate around easily on uneven surfaces.

 

The company doesn't expect the bot to replace their ongoing same-day deliver services - it will help them instead. Trials to test the bot will be taking place in Memphis, Tennessee and between two FedEx Office locations. AutoZone, Pizza Hut, Target and Walmart are all on board for early testing of the vehicle. FedEx is also the latest company to try out this type of technology. Other companies like Amazon and Google have been more focused towards airborne drones to make deliveries in the future. Meanwhile food-delivery companies have been focusing more on sidewalk-based tech. FedEx's autonomous delivery system could also be the very thing that makes this type of technology more popular. 

 

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FedEx's SameDay bot.

 

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  • It certainly looks as if one day in the not too distant future we will get delivery robots. Digit looks potentially really useful although there is no information on battery (?) life. A white van driver can probably work all day on a cheese sandwich - I'm not sure what the equivalent would be for Digit. I guess it could return to some charging point, perhaps in a local vehicle, between deliveries.

     

    The FedEx mobile robot has an interesting design in that the top box is effectively balancing on the quite short wheel base. So it will be stable when not moving and not need active balancing when not in use, but when moving by actively balancing it can have a smaller 'footprint' and also be able to navigate move obstacles. This looks a fun concept so I might have to have a go at making one, although probably not quite so large.

     

    Dubbie

Comment

  • It certainly looks as if one day in the not too distant future we will get delivery robots. Digit looks potentially really useful although there is no information on battery (?) life. A white van driver can probably work all day on a cheese sandwich - I'm not sure what the equivalent would be for Digit. I guess it could return to some charging point, perhaps in a local vehicle, between deliveries.

     

    The FedEx mobile robot has an interesting design in that the top box is effectively balancing on the quite short wheel base. So it will be stable when not moving and not need active balancing when not in use, but when moving by actively balancing it can have a smaller 'footprint' and also be able to navigate move obstacles. This looks a fun concept so I might have to have a go at making one, although probably not quite so large.

     

    Dubbie

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