AI in the bike lane: how self-automated vehicles could innovate last mile delivery
While e-commerce drastically reduced the amount of time and hassle required for a customer to make an online purchase, it hasn’t yet found an economical way to reduce the cost of last-mile delivery.
As you might’ve guessed, last mile delivery refers to the final stage of a package’s journey that finally brings it to the customer’s doorstep. And, besides coming in as the part of the journey that takes the most amount of time, it also ranks as the most expensive part of the shipping process as well (about 53% of the total cost).
Recognizing the need for speed as customer expectations evolve, several companies set out to develop more economical options, including drones (from Amazon, of course), to complete last mile delivery. Seeing the potential in small automated vehicles, Michigan-based tech startup, Refraction AI, developed and recently unveiled their self-driving delivery robot — an inexpensive alternative to traditional forms of shipping called REV-1. And, it could just change e-commerce for good.
Here’s how it works.
Introducing REV-1 — the robot that fits into a bike lane
Fitting into a bike lane isn’t REV-1’s only trick, but it might be one of its most important given the previous complications encountered by other self-driving vehicles while tossed into traffic with cars and trucks. With a physical presence of 4 feet tall and 32 inches wide — no larger than an average adult riding a bicycle — REV-1 fits snugly into the bike lanes of urban areas. And, with the ability to reach 12 miles per hour, it can enter traffic and navigate street shoulders if need be.
While designers are still working on the machine’s ability to handle cruddy weather, REV-1, as a Michigan native, tackles snow and rain better than most other self-driving vehicles. It carries about four bags of groceries and, upon arriving at the customer’s residence, notifies the customer of its arrival via text message. To access their groceries, the customer punches in a unique code on the robot itself, which releases the cargo doors.
What issues could anyone have with such a savvy bot? As it turns out, quite a few and they could stop REV-1 in its tracks.
Obstacles too big for REV-1
Although REV-1 manages to bypass several of the obstacles encountered by other autonomous vehicles, it faces a set of challenges uniquely its own.
First of all, since it operates in bike lanes, it increases congestion among bike traffic. Having scrapped and advocated for years to see the construction of designated bike lanes, several bikers see REV-1 as an obstacle in the way of their ability to safely traverse urban landscapes. In a recent interview, Jonathan Maus, who publishes BikePortland.org, told Trucks.com, “It’s a bit presumptuous for Refraction to claim they can operate in bike lanes. They would face a pretty big debate and permit process if they tried to operate in Portland.”
So, whether or not they’re able to navigate themselves, keep up with traffic, or stop within the span of 5 feet, the public might not ultimately accept autonomous robots operating in bike lanes. They are, after all, “bike lanes,” not “robot lanes.” At least, not yet.
And, although it can drive itself most places, REV-1, like many other AI vehicles, hesitates when it encounters certain pedestrian crossings unmarked by traffic lights or while approaching unprotected left-hand turns. Faced with these challenges, REV-1 requires remote human control to see it through.
Regardless of issues, there’s potential
With obstacles stacking up against REV-1, could the technology really take off? We think so.
Maybe, you’re a biker who will end up sharing the road with automated vehicles during your commute home. Or, maybe you’re a tired parent who just needs to save a trip to the store so they can put dinner on the table, tuck the kids in, and get a few hours of sleep before work the next day. Regardless of your situation and even if you’re not in the last-mile delivery business, a biker, or a parent, our bet is that the advancements in this space will affect you one way or another.
As you read already and depending on where you stand, self-automated vehicles could have a positive or negative impact. Or, perhaps both. And, that’s what we need to consider: how can we use this technology in a way that truly innovates and improves our experience of life (or the consumer experience) by letting us enter more fully into it?
When does“advancement” become “innovation?”
If the bad outweighs the good, which could end up being the case for AI vehicles (or not), perhaps the advancement in tech really isn’t innovation at all? Technology isn’t necessarily innovation. Innovation is advancing human life towards a brighter future.
Whether or not an idea becomes an innovation, well, that entirely depends on how you approach the opportunity.
Thanks for reading.
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The above piece was written by the Latitude Supercharge Research Team, which includes Connor Beck and Carter Jensen
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Resources and original reporting of the above points covered by the following publications — PSFK, WIRED, The Verge, & Business Insider
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