Dubai to select community for autonomous delivery device

16 October 2019
Fedex and Dubai Roads & Transport Authority have agreed to test autonomous delivery device Roxo in the emirate

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and US-based Fedex Express are expected to select a community in Dubai in which to test Roxo, the autonomous delivery device developed by the global shipping firm's subsidiary.

According to CEO of RTA’s public transport agency Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, the ideal target for this kind of service would be a new residential area with a community mall, where people can order food or products from the shopping mall and Roxo can be used to deliver the items to the customer’s doorstep.

Roxo offers a potential solution to the growing number of delivery cars and bikes on the roads of Dubai that make a lot of trips, according to Bahrozyan. “RTA is always looking for ways to reduce the number of trips and vehicles so that we can have smoother traffic [flow],” a local media report citing Bahrozyan said.

Dubai is the first city outside the US to test Roxo.

RTA and Fedex signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU)  to test Roxo in Dubai on 15 October on the sidelines of the ongoing Dubai Congress for Self-driving Transport.

It is understood a combination of technologies makes Roxo both a digital and environmentally friendly “last-mile” delivery solution.

These include the iBot plus advanced technology that uses light detection and ranging and multiple cameras, which make the robot “aware of its surroundings”.

Roxo also utilises machine-learning algorithms that help detect and avoid obstacles, plot a safe path and allow it to follow road and safety rules, the firms said in a statement.

Powered by a battery, Roxo is considered a zero-emission device.

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