ROBOTIC REVOLUTION
PARKING PRECISION
BATTERY REVIVAL
Estonian company Starship Technologies , founded by Skype ’ s Ahti Heinla and Dane Janus Friis , introduced autonomous delivery robots resembling shopping baskets . These robots promise to revolutionise everyday life by autonomously delivering various items , attracting global attention and interest .
Major figures like Snoop Dogg showed interest , while businesses from shopping centres to movie producers lined up to adopt this groundbreaking technology .
However , legal challenges surfaced concerning where these robots could operate on pedestrian streets due to varying regulations worldwide . Learning from past experiences , such as Segway ’ s legal struggles , the company sought guidance to navigate these complexities .
Despite these hurdles , extensive testing spanning cities like Tallinn , London , Boston , and San Francisco accumulated over a thousand miles of successful trials , proving the robots ’ viability .
Dott , a leading micromobility operator in Europe , is implementing AI technology from Captur to enhance the responsible parking of its shared e-scooters and e-bikes . This technology instantly reviews parking images submitted by riders at the trip ’ s end , ensuring compliance with city-specific criteria and local regulations . The aim is to swiftly notify riders of incorrect parking , offering immediate guidance for proper parking practices and better integration of these vehicles within cities .
Maxim Romain , Co-Founder and COO of Dott , highlighted the importance of addressing careless parking and its impact on user experience . He stated , “ Improved detection will pick up issues instantly , helping us to guide our riders on where to leave the vehicle responsibly .” This AI-driven solution streamlines the process , replacing manual reviews and ensuring a seamless end to riders ’ trips with instant feedback .
The GUW + pilot project , a collaboration between Üstra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG and Daimler Buses , exemplifies a pioneering initiative repurposing electric bus batteries . This innovative project transforms Mercedes- Benz eCitaro city bus batteries , reaching around 80 % capacity after five to six years , into stationary energy storage units . Maxim Romain , Co- Founder and COO of Dott , highlighted , “ Improved detection will pick up issues instantly , helping us guide our riders on responsible parking .”
Üstra ’ s rectifier substation in Hanover , incorporating these second-life batteries , efficiently powers eCitaro buses and light rail , offering a shared energy supply . The project extends the lifespan of electric bus batteries , demonstrating their capability for stationary operation for up to a decade , thereby minimising lifecycle costs and environmental impact . Romain emphasised , “ Finding a second life for these batteries ... helps the eCitaro maintain an environmental balance .”
26 ISSUE 44 DECEMBER 2023 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU