Valeo has unveiled a new concept autonomous delivery vehicle at the 2020 Consumer Electrics Show in Las Vegas, which it has developed in partnership Meituan Dianping a Chinese e-commerce firm.  The Valeo eDeliver4U is a fully electric autonomous delivery droid which is said to have a 100km range. 

The small droid was developed primarily for meal deliveries, but could also signal the future for the delivery of other time critical goods, such as automotive parts in an urban environment.  Delivery lockers allows for safe delivery to the end customer, who can book through a smartphone application.

The droid operates autonomously using perception systems including algorithms and sensors. It is equipped with four Valeo SCALA laser scanners, a front camera, four fisheye cameras, four radar devices and twelve ultrasonic sensors, coupled with software and artificial intelligence. The electrified chassis features a Valeo 48V motor and a Valeo 48V inverter, which acts as the system’s brain and controls the power, a speed reducer, a 48V battery, a DC/DC converter and a Valeo 48V battery charger, as well as electric power steering and braking systems.

Jacques Aschenbroich, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Valeo commented, “This delivery droid illustrates Valeo’s ability to embrace new forms of mobility using its technological platforms. The modularity of the platforms means our technologies can just as easily be fitted to cars, autonomous shuttles, robotaxis and even droids. These new markets will allow us to further consolidate our leadership around the world in vehicle electrification, driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.”