A funny talking robot delivery driver goes through the streets of Helsinki
The robot looks like a small truck with eyes and is divided into individual lockers.
The wheeled robot HeRo delivers purchases to residents of Helsinki within an hour, New Atlas writes. Its name is an abbreviation for Helsinki Robot. HeRo (“Hero”) is produced by French robotics firm TwinswHeel.
The four-wheeled autonomous robot can carry a maximum payload of 300 kg, has a top speed of 25 km/h and can travel up to 20 km on a single charge of a replaceable lithium battery. Like most other wheeled delivery robots, it uses a combination of GPS and on-board sensors to navigate and avoid obstacles along the way.
The HeRo has a usable volume of 900 liters, although it is divided into separate lockers in which orders from several customers are stored at once. Each customer can electronically open only the cell of their order using the application on their smartphone.
From May to August, the robot was used to deliver tools from a city warehouse to nearby construction sites.
In the second phase of the same pilot project, HeRo began delivering purchases to customers in Helsinki. Using the app, customers can choose between several participating stores and order the product they want.
As an added bonus, HeRo uses a synthetic voice to help customers access their package.
The project is being implemented by Helsinki innovation company Forum Virium Helsinki and is part of the larger European Union project URBANE. In the spring of next year, a new stage will explore ways to optimize delivery routes.
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