Living Lab ToMove
Autonomous delivery robots for last-mile logistics
Autonomous robots for urban logistics are small wheeled robots, designed as mobile “mini-lockers” to deliver products ordered remotely from a local shop to the end customer. The robots are equipped with sensors and cameras that collect data from their surroundings and communicate with local infrastructure to determine their path, even in reduced or obstructed visibility conditions. These robots represent an innovative solution for urban transportation, helping to improve delivery efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The technological infrastructure consists of a set of technologies that work together:
A system of sensors installed on the vehicle
that allows it to acquire information about the surrounding environment (streets and intersections, obstacles along the route, passing vehicles, etc.)
A connected and smart On Board Unit (OBU)
that enables the robot to exchange information with other vehicles and external systems (e.g., traffic lights) using standard protocols, and to determine the best route even in the presence of unforeseen dynamic obstacles.
A connected traffic light system
that provides information about the traffic light phases, including the duration and the remaining time until the next phase, enabling robots to safely cross signalized pedestrian crossings even in the absence of full visibility.
The robots move at low speeds (about 6 km/h) and are capable of autonomously navigating a sidewalk or bike lane, overcoming obstacles, and orienting themselves in the urban environment. Once the robot reaches the customer, the package inside can be retrieved using an unlocking code. The use of robots in this sector aims to reduce costs, increase service flexibility, and improve delivery speed in the highly congested areas of cities.
Between 2024 and 2026, the testing of several last-mile logistics robots is planned as part of the activities promoted by the Casa delle Tecnologie CTE-Next and the ToMove project. To stay updated on the experimentation activities related to last-mile logistics robots, visit the Torino City Lab website.
