Delivery robot puts pressure on deliverymen

[TaiShang]

Delivery robot puts pressure on deliverymen

By Sun Hui ( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2018-04-08

A yellow autonomous robotic car with six wheels appeared on the Zhongguancun Intelligent Manufacturing Way (I-M-Way) on April 2. It can move straight, turn around and automatically stop to avoid pedestrians.

The robot, named Small Yellow Horse, was developed by a Zhongguancun startup — Zhen Robotics. It can run 60-80 kilometers after charging for two to four hours.

The delivery robot avoids a pedestrian on the Zhongguancun I-M-Way on April 2. [Photo by Wang Haixin/beijingeveningnews.com.cn]

The one-meter tall robot has a load capacity of 30 kilograms, a maximum speed of 12 kilometers per hour, and a lifespan of up to eight hours. It can climb a slope of up to 35 degrees.

Users are able to set the delivery time and place on their mobile phone. Workers then load the parcel into the robot, which will automatically deliver it according to the user's specifications.

In order to ensure the security of the parcel, users can only retrieve it when they scan a QR code with their phone.

An engineer at Zhen Robotics loads a parcel into the robot. [Photo by Wang Haixin/beijingeveningnews.com.cn]

Liu Zhiyong, founder of the company, said that the robot is designed to cut labor costs by eliminating the need for deliverymen.

Liu estimated that when mass production of the robot begins, the delivery cost of a single parcel will be no more than one yuan.

In 2016, Liu Zhiyong led an artificial intelligence team to start his own business. He adopted the expensive laser radar to replace a visual navigation system, enabling the robot to avoid road barriers automatically.

Engineers test the robot on the road in order to collect more data. [Photo by Wang Haixin/beijingeveningnews.com.cn]

Less than two years later, the company has upgraded the robot to the third generation and has already completed 7,000 kilometers of test drives at Tsinghua University, Zhongguancun I-M-Way, and several high-end residential areas.

The robot is also able to use elevators to go upstairs and downstairs.

Liu Zhiyong, founder of the company, demonstrates how to use the robot on his mobile phone. [Photo by Wang Haixin/beijingeveningnews.com.cn]

***

Population Dividends have little future...

 

[jamahir]

In order to ensure the security of the parcel, users can only retrieve it when they scan a QR code with their phone.

How does this work ( in simple steps )??

 

[Solomon2]

Robots like these were used in some gov't buildings in D.C. a generation ago. They impressed visitors but didn't catch on and were abandoned after a few years because they decreased productivity: employees had to stop what they were doing and run out into the hall to pick up mail from the bell-ringing robot rather than have it delivered to their desks.

 

[Beast]

Robots like these were used in some gov't buildings in D.C. a generation ago. They impressed visitors but didn't catch on and were abandoned after a few years because they decreased productivity: employees had to stop what they were doing and run out into the hall to pick up mail from the bell-ringing robot rather than have it delivered to their desks.

US one didnt catch on becos it is not advanced as Chinese one. US avoidance AI is not good as this Chinese one. US cannot match current China AI technology.

Does US has this?

How does this work ( in simple steps )??

Only the buyer will have the QR code. You scan and you can unlock it.

 

[jamahir]

Only the buyer will have the QR code. You scan and you can unlock it.

You mean there will be a QR code displayed on the shutter/door of the box??

I say this because someone can simply steal a package if the shutter is left unlocked.

 

[TaiShang]

How does this work ( in simple steps )??

You place an order and decide the time and place of delivery. You are assigned a specific QR code. Then, when the parcel arrives, you scan it and pick up the parcel.

I say this because someone can simply steal a package if the shutter is left unlocked.

I am not sure about delivery method. I guess it is delivered by the robot itself and only the ordered parcel is accessible. Just like when you withdraw a certain amount of money from an ATM.

Rest of the money that is loaded in the ATM is not available.

There is always a solution to problems and, when the technology is frontier, you solve some portion of problems as they arise in the test field.

Currently, lots of technologies in China is in the testing and adapting process. China, in that sense, is a giant pilot project. At the moment, there are thousands of pilot projects by the government(s) and private companies going on as we speak.

 

[AndrewJin]

You mean there will be a QR code displayed on the shutter/door of the box??

I say this because someone can simply steal a package if the shutter is left unlocked.

The delivery process is the point of their trail.
How to get the parcel is a very established technology, similar to how we receive our parcels from the delivery collecting facilities.
When you order something from online in China, you don't really have to leave your personal address, because in most cases you will be at work.
You can assign the parcel to any delivery collection points, or to the convenient shops.
Nearly all big apartments have such facilities.

 

[Huan]

US one didnt catch on becos it is not advanced as Chinese one. US avoidance AI is not good as this Chinese one. US cannot match current China AI technology.

Does US has this?

Only the buyer will have the QR code. You scan and you can unlock it.

There may be riots on the streets if American food delivery and taxi jobs are completely replaced by AI-guided drones and AI-guided self-driving cars.

 

[Beast]

There may be riots on the streets if American food delivery and taxi jobs are completely replaced by AI-guided drones and AI-guided self-driving cars.

In many first world in Europe and asia, they are heavy shortage of drivers for truck, buses and delivery that they resort to import migrants to fill these jobs. Not sure about US.

Human drivers will also force to drive more carefully and obedient since they know they can be replaced if they keep breaking traffic rules.

 

[cirr]

Mahjong-playing robot on show at university anniversary

2018-04-09 16:32 Ecns.cnEditor:Yao Lan



A robot playing the popular Chinese game mahjong at an exhibition to mark the 122nd anniversary of the founding of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an City, the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 8, 2018. The artificial intelligence system is built with the use of imaging processes, pattern identification and machine learning. The exhibition showcases science and technology research achievements at the university, including the robot that can also play Chinese chess. (Photo/VCG)



A robot playing the popular Chinese game mahjong at an exhibition to mark the 122nd anniversary of the founding of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an City, the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 8, 2018. The artificial intelligence system is built with the use of imaging processes, pattern identification and machine learning. The exhibition showcases science and technology research achievements at the university, including the robot that can also play Chinese chess. (Photo/VCG)



A robot playing the popular Chinese game mahjong at an exhibition to mark the 122nd anniversary of the founding of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an City, the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 8, 2018. The artificial intelligence system is built with the use of imaging processes, pattern identification and machine learning. The exhibition showcases science and technology research achievements at the university, including the robot that can also play Chinese chess. (Photo/VCG)

 

[Yaseen1]

any one can steal easily products from these robots when on their way to delivery

 

[qwerrty]

just one bomb exploded and all those delivery robots and drones will be out of business

 

[Beast]

just one bomb exploded and all those delivery robots and drones will be out of business

It’s same as human delivery man. Nothing to do with robots delivery.

 

[TaiShang]

OK. Let's agree. It is bad for SP12, good for China.

 

[GS Zhou]

any one can steal easily products from these robots when on their way to delivery

ATM machines are everywhere on the streets. But few dare to steal the money from these ATM machines, because the cameras are also everywhere.

Same logic to the robot delivery.