A light show with deep bass music and steam swirls at the Kursaal in Bern on Tuesday. Everyone in the room is excited. Now the first autonomous delivery vehicle in Switzerland has to enter the hall. The three founders, Lara Amini-Rentsch (30), Amin Amini (32) and Claudio Panizza (29) are ready and proudly pointing at their vehicles.
“Development took three years,” says Lara Amini-Rentsch. As always when you come up with a new idea, they have had their ups and downs. Now he is proud that the vehicle is here now. «This should revolutionize the Swiss packaging industry!»
Sensors and cameras constantly scan the environment
The feature of the vehicle is that it is unmanned, completely emission-free and delivers 30 parcels at once. “This is only possible thanks to sensors and cameras mounted around the vehicle,” says CEO Amin Amini.
There are several sensors mounted around the vehicle. Some are in charge of the street. They constantly scan the environment and direct the vehicle to the right path. Others are responsible for obstacles and traffic rules. As soon as an obstacle comes to the road, the vehicle suddenly stops. The cameras offer an all-round view. A person can monitor the vehicle at any time from a control center.
This is how delivery is done
But how does such a delivery work? The desired product is ordered online. Then Loxo Alpha is installed. From there, the vehicle travels to the customer. They can enter their personal code using the touchscreen connected to the Loxo Alpha.
As soon as this is detected, the hatch opens. And releases customer’s package. This completes the delivery. The vehicle is scheduled to be released in 2023.