The new Loxo Alpha aims to revolutionize the distribution industry. That’s what the three strong Loxo founding teams promise. Lara Amini-Rentsch (30), Amin Amini (32) and Claudio Panizza (29) present Switzerland’s first autonomous delivery vehicle in Bern.
“The customer is ordering a product online. Loxo Alpha first goes to the store and picks up the package. The delivery vehicle then goes to the customer,” explains Amini-Rentsch. The customer can log in using the registration code on the cloth display on the vehicle. The cover is opened with the parcel. The customer can remove it. Then Loxo Alpha goes to the next station.
being watched by camera
Exclusive: Customers can decide for themselves when Loxo Alpha should pass. “Our vehicle is emission-free. Production is also as sustainable as possible,” Amini-Rentsch promises. The vehicle does not need a driver for autonomous driving on Swiss roads.
Could there be nothing there? “Vandalism cannot be ignored. Loxo Alpha is being watched by someone in the office.» The cameras are recording 24/7. In an emergency, you can act immediately, continues Amini-Rentsch. However, the vehicle is not completely protected.
Sensors guide Loxo
Parcels were never delivered this way in Switzerland. “Several sensors are installed around the vehicle. Some are in charge of the road,” says Lara Amini-Rentsch. Sensors constantly scan the surroundings and steer the vehicle on the right track.
Other sensors deal with obstacles and traffic rules. “Loxo Alpha stops abruptly as soon as an obstacle comes in its way.” The cameras offer an all-round view. In this way, the person in the control room can also intervene in an unplanned situation.
“There is so much to do”
Loxo Alpha should only pass in cities. However, in the future, the team wants to take the vehicle to the country as well. “We had to go through a lot of tests to do it. For example, how steep can Loxo Alpha go,” says Amini-Rentsch. The speed of the delivery vehicle is limited to 30 km/h. But in the future, the Loxo team wants to make faster progress.
“But there is so much more to do,” the co-founder says. Loxo Alpha is scheduled to launch in early 2023. “We are already getting questions from customers. People often ask if we will also produce larger or smaller vehicles. And so will we be.”
He doesn’t want to say what the iconic vehicle costs. Experts expect a price of 150,000 francs.