Robot Ona: an autonomous electric last-mile delivery vehicle
A new pilot project gets under way with an autonomous electric delivery vehicle, particularly for last-mile goods deliveries to end customers. Last-mile goods deliveries generate 20% of traffic and 40% of emissions resulting from vehicles circulating in Barcelona.
The robot Ona will spend a few days circulating in the area around Pl. Comercial, in Ciutat Vella, to study the how the vehicle interacts with other vehicles and with pedestrians.
The prototype has been conceived by the la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – Barcelona Tech, the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial, CARNET and Vaivé Logistics. It forms part of the Botnet project, which is studying how to cut noise levels, environmental impact and traffic congestion generated by urban goods delivery vehicles.
Urban lab to test innovative solutions
The testing for the UPC’s Ona robot forms part of the City Council’s strategy to provide an urban testbed for innovative solutions in the public interest for the city. This includes support for companies and organisations, helping them try out products and services in real conditions which are of interest for the city and have a positive social impact.
The project is in line with the Strategic Plan for Science and Innovation 2024-2027, which includes knowledge transfer as a driver for the city’s economy, with the commitment and priority goal of all the city’s science and tech capacity translating into tangible improvements for social well-being, sustainability and the ecological transition, thanks to the transfer of this excellence in knowledge to companies, institutions and the city’s social fabric.
