Robotics

Italian delivery drone takes to the streets

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YAPE travels mainly on sidewalks and bike lanes
e-novia
YAPE travels mainly on sidewalks and bike lanes
e-novia
YAPE can travel as far as 80 km (50 miles) per charge of its battery pack
e-novia

Since there are still technical and legislative challenges to overcome regarding the widespread use of aerial delivery drones, ground-based models may actually end up beating them to entering frequent service. One of the latest to hit our radar is the two-wheeled self-balancing YAPE, from Italy's e-novia.

Similar in form and function to Piaggio Fast Forward's Gita, YAPE uses GPS, video cameras and range-finding lasers to autonomously travel down city streets, avoiding obstacles such as potholes and pedestrians as it does so. It also wirelessly accesses sensors placed around the city, to monitor things such as traffic light status and traffic flow.

Users will summon it to their location via an app. One it gets there, they will load up to 70 kg (154 lb) of cargo into its lidded locking compartment, then use the app to specify the destination address. YAPE will subsequently set off on its own, using its electric motors to travel as far as 80 km (50 miles) per charge of its battery pack. It will stick mainly to sidewalks and bike paths, travelling on them at maximum speeds of 6 and 20 km/h (3.7 and 12.4 mph), respectively.

YAPE can travel as far as 80 km (50 miles) per charge of its battery pack
e-novia

Upon reaching its destination, its cargo compartment will only unlock for the designated recipient – who must be registered with the YAPE delivery system – using facial recognition technology.

The first phase of road tests were completed in the Italian city of Cremona at the beginning of this month. YAPE will now be showcased at CES in Las Vegas, in January. And its name, in case you're wondering, stands for "Your Autonomous Pony Express."

It can be seen in use, in the following video.

Source: e-novia

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2 comments
ljaques
I foresee these being stolen and broken-into by the score, especially in today's Italy. Passers-by could probably unstick some which wound up in holes, but I would think that to be another one of the worst problems for them. Those people in the video sure aren't robot-friendly. Gee, not a single word of kindness to the little guy from either of them!
warren52nz
I think it's a great idea. What's someone else going to do with it if they steal it? You can't use it because as soon as you turn it on it will report its location to the owner I bet. And undoubtedly it will only respond to its owner through some sort of verification process.
And it looks pretty heavy.