The Startup Refraction wants to be able to use autonomous supply bots in wintery climes.
Autonomous driving, so it said Sherif Marakby from Ford 2017, is a fair-weather phenomenon. Because most manufacturers can join snow and adverse weather due to the sensors do not navigate. The Startup Refraction now wants to settle exactly in this niche.
Refraction REV-1. Source: Techcrunch
Refraction is a new startup that deals with Lieferbots wants to prevail in the market. At the techcrunch session, the start-up company ventured into the public eye and presented its concept. The founding members are professors of the University of Michigan: Matthew Johnson-Roberson and Ram Vasudevan.
The delivery note, called REV-1, is a tricycle that moves a transport box. The vehicle is around 45 kilograms relatively light and, above all, inexpensive, since one waives Lidar. Twelve cameras are installed for this as well as radar and ultrasonic sensors. It should run on the bike path and can, as mentioned, drive through snow and rain. It has 0.45 cubic meters of space, which is enough for up to five shopping bags.
The maximum speed is 24 km / h. By nature, the vehicle has a braking distance of two meters. The application area are, for example, food deliveries. In this way, you have already completed the first tests in cooperation with restaurants. Now you are looking for partners.
source (English)
About David Fluhr
I’ve been writing about Autonomous & Connected Driving since 2011 and also talk about it on other sites like the Smart Mobility Hub. I studied social sciences at the HU Berlin and since 2012 I am a freelance journalist. Contact: mail@autonomes-fahren.de