29 Aug 2018 POSTED BY
Vaishnavi Chidambaram
This robot is being introduced to help the human deliverer by freeing up their hands. it can carry up to six post trays, relieving carriers of their heavy loads and making it easier for them to distribute the mail. Deutsche Post will be watching the pilot project carefully to see how well the robot supports staff with their physically demanding work.
This robot can carry loads of up to 150 kilograms and follows the mail carrier, it tracks the leg of the mail carrier follows them the entire route, it can also navigate around obstacles when needed (You would've learned the basics obstacle avoider in the Advance level, the same concept is used here) and it has a robust structure - which includes control elements on both sides of the unit to promote good ergonomics for the back and joints — means it can be used in all weather conditions.
This PostBOT is designed by French company effidence, it is custom-built with considerable input from the delivery staff of Deutsche post to ensure that it met their specific needs for transporting letters and packages. If you have completed the Advance level, you can also build miniature of this robot (Instead of the robot following the human, you will be able to build a robot which can follow a line or light or wall) Once you are familiar with the concept taught, then you can also go ahead and make a Robot which can follow the human using Image processing technique.
Right now, this PostBOT is in the testing phase, where the test will initially run for roughly six weeks, followed by a period of assessment. Those insights will then flow into another round of tests and improvements.
