Norwegian post develops autonomous parcel robots

Author: Dimitri Lagun
Date: 26.07.2018

One robot can cover up to 100 households

The Norwegian post Posten Norge has teamed up with the Norwegian mobility company Buddy Mobility to develop an autonomous parcel robot. The vehicle will be the world’s first self-propelled letter and parcel robot and shall serve up to 100 households.

Within the delivery process the robot is intended to partially serve as a substitute for a typical mailbox. Consumers are informed about the delivery of letters and parcels and can then specify the period, when and where they want to receive their delivery. Already by the end of the year, the robot will be tested in a residential area in Kongsberg.

The vehicle is equipped with numerous sensors to perceive the environment. It should be able to drive up to 6 km/h, so that it cannot cause any danger to the environment.

“We have great confidence in a self-determined future and that there are profitable applications for a logistics player like us in the short and long term. We rely in part on the technology development of the major vehicle manufacturers. At the same time, we want to stimulate the market to develop more niche solutions, which is an example of the innovation agreement with Buddy Mobility, “said Tone Wille, CEO of Posten Norge.

Buddy Mobility is a consortium of Norwegian and international suppliers and investors working on different solutions using autonomous technologies. Per Ivar Selvaag, Chief developer at Buddy Mobility, believes that the merger with Norwegian Post is laying the foundation for international engagement.