AI mobility robots offer semi-autonomous piloting, auto-docking

Technology News | August 19, 2019

By Rich Pell

The new products – the KickScooter T60, Segway DeliveryBot S2, and Segway Outdoor DeliveryBot X1 – are transportation robots with semi-autonomous piloting and auto-docking features.

“In the upcoming decade, the world will become more ‘alive’ with intelligent things,” says Luke Gao, Founder and CEO of Segway-Ninebot. “Global IoT is a pivotal direction of technology and business development. This sub-networks of autonomous delivery robots will play a vital role in the Internet of Things.”

The KickScooter T60, Powered By Ninebot subsidiary Segway, was the first product to be released as part of the company’s shared kick scooter business line. The T60, says the company, is a revolutionary product, having the ability to pilot itself to riders and back to its charging station autonomously.

With its vision-based navigation technology, the T60 can be operated in two modes: guided piloting for short distances and autonomous piloting for long distances. Additional features include automatic dispatch, cloud service, and wireless charging.

Operators may remotely control the automated movement of kick scooters through the cloud, enabling a one-to-many manual remote dispatch. As a result, says the company, shared kick scooters can be dispatched intelligently in different time periods and areas to help shared business operators improve the turnaround frequency of products for lower operating costs and higher profitability.

An upgraded version of the Segway DeliveryBot S1, The Segway DeliveryBot S2 is an indoor delivery robot that can adapt to any indoor environment, including being able to go up and down elevators independently. The Segway DeliveryBot S2 uses LDS Lidar, which has a similar cost but incorporates a larger viewing angle compared with the depth camera used in the Segway DeliveryBot S1.

The Segway DeliveryBot S2 also has the navigation system integrated with a visual sensor, which helps achieve higher location precision and has fewer visual blind spots. It can easily detect human feet and small movements in all directions so that it can avoid accidents and obstacles properly.

The Segway DeliveryBot S2 also adopts a new suspension damping solution that allows it to cross obstacles with ease. It can cross obstacles at a vertical measurement of 3 cm and can cross speed bumps measuring 5 cm. In addition, the distribution compartment adopts an automatic cabin door, which supports the adjustment of the container’s structure and can flexibly change from two to four slots according to the size of the goods it’s transporting.

The third new product to debut, the Segway DeliveryBot X1, is an indoor/outdoor auto-piloting robot that provides delivery service between buildings. It uses “multi-data integration” technology that allows it to deal with precise locations in different environments. It also incorporates an advanced path planning algorithm and a dynamic obstacle avoidance algorithm to achieve smooth movement on non-motor vehicle lanes and in closed parks.

With its ability to automatically recognize traffic lights and its chassis mechanical brake, says the company, the Segway DeliveryBot X1 guarantees safe piloting. It can intelligently follow and overtake vehicles to improve its efficiency and ensure its on-time delivery. The Segway DeliveryBot X1 also has a 350-L large-volume capacity and is compatible with a wide range of delivery items. With an IPX5 water resistant rating, Segway DeliveryBot X1 can even operate on rainy days.

KickScooter T60, Powered By Segway, will be given to selected customers to conduct customized tests starting from September 1. It will be mass-produced in the first quarter of 2021, says the company.

Segway DeliveryBot S2 will be given to selected customers for trial in October 2019. It is scheduled to be mass-produced in the first quarter of 2020. Segway outdoor DeliveryBot X1 will be given to selected customers for trial in January 2020.

Segway-Ninebot
Segway