We’ve long accepted the fact that we need to co-exist with robots as they will become part of our every day existence. There’s still of course that underlying fear that they will become our overlords because of too many sci-fi dystopian stories that we’ve seen. But our current reality sees them as something that can help make life easier for us, whether it’s our daily life or in more specific circumstances like production and transporting cargo.
Last-mile delivery in particular is constantly evolving, with companies exploring innovative solutions to make the process faster, more efficient, and more accessible. The latest contender making waves in this space is LEVA, a novel delivery robot, currently being developed and prototyped by ETH Zurich university, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and Zurich University of the Arts. What sets LEVA apart from the growing crowd of delivery bots is its unique hybrid locomotion system: it combines the speed and efficiency of wheels on flat surfaces with the versatility of legs to tackle complex terrains.
Designers: ETH Zurich university, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and Zurich University of the Arts
LEVA has four articulated legs with each of them ending in a wheel. This way, it is able to transition seamlessly between rolling on smooth pavements and then steeping over things like stairs, sidewalks, and grassy areas. This agility will be useful in places like dense urban areas with all kinds of infrastructure or in suburban neighborhoods where there are steps leading to the front door. It can open up various possibilities for delivery services especially in situations where it was previously inaccessible for traditional wheeled robots.
This robot that is currently being developed will have sensors and five onboard cameras, allowing it to navigate autonomously, avoid obstacles by transitioning to the apt tools when delivering items, and protecting the goods it is carrying. It can roll straight to the left or right as needed since each of the wheels is independently steerable. It has internal powered hooks that latch onto the package while securing it beneath the body.
With the continued development of robots like LEVA, the initial apprehension surrounding their integration into our daily lives is gradually giving way to the promise of a more convenient future. Far from the dystopian narratives, these innovations highlight the potential for robots to become valuable partners, particularly in streamlining tasks like last-mile delivery. LEVA’s unique ability to navigate complex terrains underscores this shift, suggesting a near future where receiving packages is no longer limited by physical barriers, but seamlessly integrated into our increasingly automated world.
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