With L4 level self-driving capabilities, Uber's delivery robot has begun to "go to work"

Reporter | Zhou Chunliang

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Compared with the automotive industry, which is still worried about the technology and regulations of autonomous driving, robots already have a stronger ability to act autonomously.

Recently, Service Robotics, the spin-off robotics arm of Uber's Postmates, has launched its next-generation delivery robot, which can operate without human intervention.

These fully autonomous robots have completed their first delivery task, successfully navigating themselves within a designated area.

Self-driving robots are the result of five years of research and development, and they represent a major advance in delivery services. To create next-generation robots with L4 levels of autonomous driving, Serve Robotics has studied features such as automatic emergency braking, vehicle collision avoidance, and fail-safe redundant mechanical braking.

The latest Service robot developed by the company is designed to resemble a shopping cart of the future, with a length of 30 inches (76 centimeters), a width of 21 inches (53 centimeters), and a height of 40 inches (101.6 centimeters).

It has a storage capacity of 50 pounds (23 kilograms), and with the help of its "eyes" (which are actually cameras), it can walk around on four wheels.

Together with active sensors such as lidar and ultrasound, the robot can drive safely on busy city sidewalks without hitting pedestrians or objects.

Serve's technology breakthroughs have been achieved with the support of several key technology partners, including NVIDIA and Ouster. The AI computing platform required for robots to perceive their different environments in real time is provided by NVIDIA Jetson, while the machine's autonomous driving capabilities are enabled by Ouster's 3D lidar sensors.

"I'm proud that Serve Robotics has achieved L4 autonomous driving, further enhancing public safety by greatly reducing the likelihood of human error." Ali Kashani, CEO of Serve Robotics, said: "This milestone achievement marks the great potential of robotic delivery. ”

To date, the company's robots have successfully completed tens of thousands of deliveries in Los Angeles. More recently, its new robot has also successfully performed the first L4 level almost fully automated delivery task, with autonomous navigation within a designated area. This year, Serve Robotics will also gradually expand its coverage as it begins to promote its new robot fleet.