„Teutobots“: Autonomous robots transport goods and items in Bielefeld

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI) is testing in the AQ-Shuttle project in the Lohmannshof district of Bielefeld how four mobile Bringbert delivery robots, the “Teutobots,” can transport goods and items, for example, to homes. However, this pilot project is not a classic delivery service for grocery shopping but rather a robot-assisted transport aid.

The four Bringbert robots come from the robot manufacturer Cartken, so the researchers at HSBI did not have to develop them themselves. The six-wheeled robots have a loading volume of 83 cm x 51 cm x 62 cm and can transport payloads of up to 20 kg. The electrically powered Teutobots have a running time of more than 13 hours. The permanently mounted loading container is secured by a lockable lid that can be unlocked with a code so that nothing gets lost during an unattended transport trip.

Navigation from one place to another is autonomous. To achieve this, the robot first had to learn its area of operation in the Lohmannshof district through mapping. For this, it used common map services via a mobile connection, which guaranteed continuous access via two independently functioning SIM cards from different network operators. Through mapping the area of operation, the scientists taught the robot the most important stationary obstacles. The robot also has to be trained to behave at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. The robot can also react to suddenly appearing obstacles, then moves out of the way to predefined rest stops or stops. In addition, charging stations and night quarters have been set up where the robot is housed safely. The city of Bielefeld has granted permission for operation on sidewalks.

Transport aid to reduce individual traffic

With the small robot fleet, the scientists want to find out how well they serve as a transport aid. For example, they can bring groceries home from the supermarket or transport items from A to B. A car would then no longer need to be used for this.

The Teutobots, which can currently be used free of charge, are booked via QR code directly at a mobile station and a supermarket in the district where the robots are parked. You will then receive a PIN for the respective trip. Then the robot just needs to be loaded and the destination entered, which it will then approach at the push of a button. After the trip is completed, it returns independently to its original station.

It is still unclear what actual usage scenarios participating Bielefeld residents will have in the practice phase that has already begun and whether the robots will be accepted at all.

HSBI is currently looking for more participants for the project who must live in the Lohmannshof district. Interested parties can contact teutobots@hsbi.de. The researchers have set up a project page with the most important information. The project is funded by the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MUNV). The goal is to research possibilities that reduce individual traffic through the use of a neighborhood shuttle.

(olb)