Hyundai Motor Group and Woowa Brothers Corp. announced they are teaming up to develop autonomous, contactless delivery robots jointly. Since the pandemic began, the customers’ need for contactless delivery services continuously grows, prompting developers to heighten mobility solution safety and efficiency. Accordingly, Hyundai and Woowa Brothers plan to develop delivery robots to expand their automated vehicle technologies and robotics development capabilities.
Under the memorandum of understanding, both companies would conduct research and development on delivery robot mobility and establish a fully autonomous, integrated robot delivery system for urban areas. Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Corp. will further develop Delidrive, Woowa Brothers’ self-navigating food delivery robot. Apart from enhancing Delidrive’s capabilities, the partners also plan to put up real-time delivery robot control systems. On the other hand, Woowa Brothers will utilize its food delivery platform Baedal Minjok to operate the delivery robots’ system.
Automated Delivery Robots
Hyundai Motor and Woowa Brothers will develop unmanned delivery robots that transport food and other goods through the business agreement. Furthermore, the robots contain advanced navigation functions, enabling direct product delivery from cargo hubs or restaurants to the customers’ households. In addition to these delivery solution features, the two firms will equip the robots with payment services for added convenience.
After the companies complete the project, the automated delivery robot system could enable Delidrive to operate in urban areas effectively. The Delidrive robots also include sensors, airbags, and LED displays, allowing them to avoid obstacles and offer communication properties successfully. Since 2020, Woowa Brothers has been managing test runs for the new contactless delivery bots in Gyeonggi Province.
According to Woowa Brothers, robot delivery services can significantly increase customer convenience, especially in the growing non-face-to-face era. The South Korean app developer added that robot delivery services also increase profit due to the ultra-short distance delivery demand. As Woowa Brothers stated, it expects the Hyundai collaboration to generate more opportunities and advance the delivery service industry. Moreover, Woowa Brothers said that short-distance delivery solutions reduce the riders’ delivery time.
“As the demand for contactless services increases, the need for delivery robots is also gradually increasing,” said a Hyundai official. “Through the partnership with Woowa, who has delivery solution know-hows, we aim to enhance delivery robot competency. We plan to take the lead in building human-centered mobility services.”
Hyundai’s Increasing Robotics and Automated Tech Ventures
Recently, Hyundai Motor has been expanding its automated vehicle technologies, steadily releasing contactless mobility technologies and investing in robotics companies. Last year, Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics to facilitate its robotics-related businesses and commercialize state-of-the-art mobility robot technologies. Additionally, the company would focus more on future mobility, including smart robots, urban air transportation systems, and smart city developments.
In January, Hyundai launched the DAL-e, a next-generation, contact-free, AI-powered robot that offers information and communication assistance and customer interaction. While in February, the company unveiled TIGER, its first-ever unmanned ultimate mobility vehicle concept for delivery operations in complex terrains.
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