Autozone, PizzaHut, Lowe’s and Walgreen’s are among the high-profile customers helping FedEx test its new SameDay Bot delivery system in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo: FedEx
FedEx Begins Testing Autonomous Delivery Robot
The rise of the delivery robots continues, as FedEx announced what it calls a “cutting-edge delivery solution to meet the rapidly changing needs of consumers.” The FedEx SameDay Bot is an autonomous delivery device designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers.
With the bot, FedEx said, retailers will be able to accept orders from nearby customers and deliver them to customers’ homes or businesses the same day. FedEx is collaborating with companies such as AutoZone, Lowe’s, Pizza Hut, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart to help assess retailers’ autonomous delivery needs. On average, more than 60% of merchants’ customers live within 3 miles of a store location, FedEx said, demonstrating the opportunity for on-demand, hyper-local delivery.
The FedEx bot is designed to travel on sidewalks and along roadsides. The six-wheeled device has a top speed of 10 mph and can carry about 100 pounds. It uses advanced technology such as Lidar and multiple cameras, allowing the zero-emission, battery-powered bot to be aware of its surroundings. These features are coupled with machine-learning algorithms to detect and avoid obstacles, plot a safe path and allow the bot to follow road and safety rules. FedEx says the bot SameDay Bot can navigate unpaved surfaces, curbs, and even steps.
FedEx SameDay Bot from FedEx on Vimeo.
The FedEx bot is being developed in collaboration with DEKA Development & Research and its founder Dean Kamen, inventor of technologies including the iBot Personal Mobility Device and the Segway.
“The bot has unique capabilities that make it unlike other autonomous vehicles,” Kamen said. “We built upon the power base of the iBot, an advanced, FDA-approved, mobility device for the disabled population with more than 10 million hours of reliable, real-world operation. By leveraging this base in an additional application, we hope that the iBot will become even more accessible to those who need it for their own mobility.”
FedEx plans to test the bot this summer in select markets, including Memphis, Tennessee, pending final city approvals. The initial test will involve deliveries between selected FedEx Office locations. FedEx Office currently offers a SameDay City service that operates in 32 markets and 1,900 cities using branded FedEx vehicles and uniformed FedEx employees. The FedEx bot will complement the FedEx SameDay City service.
“The FedEx SameDay Bot represents the next chapter in our long legacy of delivering innovation and outstanding service, supported by an already existing FedEx logistics ecosystem,” said Brian Philips, President and CEO of FedEx Office.
“The convenience and capability of the FedEx Same Day Bot has the potential to greatly simplify and speed distribution for the full range of our customers,” said Don Frieson, Lowe’s executive vice president of supply chain. “Consider pros who could save time and money by never leaving the job site for the critical tools and supplies they need from Lowe’s.”
The bot made its first public appearance during NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, Feb. 26. FedEx said this prototype unit will be refined to meet safety standards and regulations, and the specific needs of customers.
FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT
Fleet management is the use of a set of vehicles in order to provide services to a third-party, or to perform a task for our organization, in the most efficient and productive manner with a determined level of service and cost.
Fleet management activities are shown in the following graph 1:
Graph 1: fleet management activities
The proposal audit analyses and assesses all fleet management activities shown in the graph 1, and its main goals are:
- Know the overall status of the fleet management activities
- Provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet management activities
With the information obtained, we’ll elaborate a report that holds the overall status of the fleet management as well as the suggestions, recommendations and the measures to take in order to cut costs and optimize the fleet management activities.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE PROPOSED FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT:
Fleet Management Audit AFMC
Contact:
José Miguel Fernández Gómez
34 678254874
info@advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com
I´m a Fleet Management expert, and the manager of Advanced Fleet Management Consulting, that provides Fleet Management Consultancy Services.
