Most street delivery robots are shaped like compact wheeled vehicle with secure compartment for item ready for delivery.
But these devices have one major problem: they can't handle things like stairs, rough terrain, or other challenging terrain, a fact that prevents them from rolling right up to someone's front door.
Swiss startup Rivr saw a gap in the market and earlier this year introduced Milo, which can best be described as a versatile robot dog similar to Boston Dynamics spot robot – with a box at the back to store delivery items.
Milo is also on wheels, but his legs are so amazingly versatile that when he comes across something like a ladder, he just walks straight up (or down!) it.
Rivr is eyeing the last-mile delivery sector for its AI-powered smart robot deployment, and just announced it will use Milo for commercial deliveries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania early next year, with details about a partner—possibly a package or food delivery company—coming soon. Indeed, they are already testing the robot in rather harsh conditions:
Back in May, the company tested Milo in Austin, Texas, with the talented four-legged transporter delivering packages between vans and doorsteps of homes, using on-board cameras and LiDAR technology to navigate the route. The recipient can unlock the box to pick up their item, but if they don't want to receive it, the robot can push it to the ground in front of the door.
Milo was also involved in several pilot programs in the UK earlier this year, loading parcels from courier vans at the curb and then delivering them straight to customers' doorsteps.
Food delivery using Milo was also tested in Zurich, Switzerland, and all these deployments demonstrated the robot's ability to overcome a range of obstacles.
“The robot is designed to work where people live, not just on sidewalks,” Rivr CEO Marko Bielonic said in an earlier statement. “It senses its environment, adapts to changing terrain and can deliver goods right to your doorstep, even in complex residential complexes.”
Milo's wheeled legs clearly help it succeed where compact mobile delivery robots fail due to their low-profile design.
Reevre believes Milo can work With delivery drivers rather than replacing them, which helps speed up deliveries and reduce driver fatigue.
The company's focus is now shifting to testing in Pittsburgh as it refines the technology for wider distribution.
