The acceleration of change in technology, society, industry, and culture is becoming more evident. The organic interplay of several factors, such as industrial and cultural innovation, and social and demographic changes, are giving rise to this phenomenon. To successfully cope with the impending era, we need wisdom to diagnose the present and gauge the future. To this end, News1 examines the changes detected worldwide and explores them from multiple perspectives through ‘Future ON.’
Citizens who watched Mobin’s autonomous delivery robot M3, which started as a venture inside Hyundai Motor Group, were unable to hide their amazement. The short-range delivery robot confidently climbed steep stairs and hills with ease. It even stopped driving on its own when it approached pedestrians to avoid collisions.
When I saw Mobin’s delivery robot M3 near Hyundai Motor’s Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on the 6th, my initial impression was “cute.” The clean square shape, small size, and even the sensor that looked like a headband were friendly enough.
However, it soon displayed its “reverse charm.” As soon as the delivery test began, it easily climbed high stairs with wheels optimized for overcoming obstacles. It had no problems coming down either. It also easily passed hills thanks to the combination of Mobin’s research data and Kumho Tire’s technological prowess. Even when passing slopes like stairs, the angle of the cargo compartment remained horizontal, preventing the goods being transported from rolling.
M3, which boasted of its courage, faced a crosswalk. However, it recognized red and green lights through its own detection sensors, crossed the crosswalk safely, and stopped driving itself when the distance from pedestrians exceeded a certain level. There were no problems even when it encountered obstacles such as trees and streetlights.
The proximity obstacle and object recognition sensors suppressed M3’s urge to speed up. Of course, it doesn’t travel very fast because it can’t exceed the average walking speed of ordinary people, which is 4.8 km/h due to regulations.
Customers receive notifications through the mobile application (app) when M3 arrives. If they select the item to be received, M3 delivers the ordered item and returns to the store after the customer presses the ‘complete reception’ button. Using LiDAR sensors and cameras, M3 performs autonomous deliveries day and night, repeatedly conducting delivery tasks.
With the completion of true contactless delivery, which makes low-cost delivery possible and eliminates the need to meet delivery workers, the realisation of a new era of delivery is expected.