Robots on the move: Scania redefines last-mile deliveries

December 10, 2024

Scania is exploring the transformative potential of robots in last-mile deliveries, aiming to revolutionise urban logistics. Partnering with innovators like Dyno Robotics, the company envisions autonomous trucks paired with robots to streamline goods unloading and distribution.

In modern logistics, truck drivers spend a significant amount of time outside their vehicles, unloading goods by hand. Scania, a global leader in sustainable transport, is challenging this norm by exploring robotics for last-mile delivery. Together with its partners, Scania is leading a groundbreaking project under the HITS initiative (Sustainable and Integrated Urban Transport System) to develop efficient, automated solutions for cleaner and safer cities.

The project brings together diverse stakeholders, including municipalities, real estate owners, engineering firms, logistics companies, and research institutions. At its heart is the innovative Carrie robot, developed by Sweden’s Dyno Robotics. This prototype is designed to autonomously unload goods from trucks and navigate complex indoor environments to complete deliveries.

How Carrie works

The Carrie robot is a marvel of engineering. Equipped with a radio frequency identification system (RFIS), it identifies goods cages and their recipients, allowing seamless automation of the unloading process. The current demonstration site is the bustling Westfield Mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm, one of the largest shopping centres in the Nordic region with over 200 shops and restaurants.

Here’s how the process unfolds: a Scania electric distribution truck arrives at the loading bay with goods prepared for delivery, before the Carrie robot detaches itself from the cargo box and begins its pre-programmed journey. Moving at a modest speed of 0.5m/s, it deftly navigates a labyrinth of corridors and even ascends multiple floors to reach its destination.

While this prototype focuses on goods cages with sufficient ground clearance for Carrie to fit underneath them, future versions will aim to tackle the challenge of standard pallets, which require slimmer and more advanced lifting mechanisms.

Engineering challenges and a glimpse into the future

The compact nature of the Carrie robot presents notable engineering hurdles. Hardware engineer Tobiaz Pettersson from Dyno Robotics highlights the need for more efficient components to increase load capacity. “With smaller batteries and more compact motors with integrated gearboxes, we can create a more versatile lifting mechanism,” Pettersson explains. The project is a testament to the innovation needed to make autonomous delivery robots practical for everyday use.

Scania’s vision extends beyond robotic unloading. Elisabeth Hörnfeldt, innovation and project manager at Scania’s Innovation Office, shares the company’s ambitious outlook: “We’re imagining the future beyond 2030, where autonomous trucks will require entirely new delivery processes. Our focus is on exploring this potential and identifying viable business opportunities.”

The concept of pairing driverless trucks with autonomous delivery robots like Carrie represents a paradigm shift in logistics. This combination could eliminate the need for human intervention during the unloading process, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.

The potential of robots in urban logistics

The Carrie robot demonstration highlights the immense potential of robotics to transform last-mile deliveries. Beyond commercial applications, autonomous robots can alleviate traffic congestion, minimise carbon footprints, and improve delivery precision in densely populated urban environments. They offer exciting prospects for smart cities, where technology and sustainability converge.

As robots like Carrie evolve, their impact on urban logistics could be profound. Imagine a future where deliveries are faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly, with robots quietly working behind the scenes. Scania’s commitment to innovation ensures that this vision is not only feasible, but also within reach.