A delivery robot from Hyundai and KIA recognizes individual employees

Hyundai Motors and KIA are introducing the new version of DAL-e Delivery, a robot that aims to deliver products, goods and things in indoor environments. The robot is equipped with facial recognition, among other things, and can therefore recognize individual workers.

The delivery of DAL-e was started by two South Korean companies at the end of 2022. At that time it was a pilot project. The new version that the parties are now presenting is based on this original model. The updated design must, among other things, perform well in difficult environments such as office buildings and shopping centers.

Received the product quickly

“DAL-e Delivery provides efficient and reliable food, beverage and package delivery services to ensure customers receive products quickly,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor and Kia. “Our vision is about the implementation of infrastructure that communicates in different areas, including offices, restaurants and shopping centers.”

The updated version of DAL-e Delivery is a delivery robot that is mainly intended to be used in indoor environments, such as offices and shopping centers. The robot can move at a speed of up to 1.2 meters per second, independently finding its way in narrow environments and avoiding obstacles. DAL-e delivery can transport loads up to 10 kg.

According to the Plugins and Storage sections

The DAL-e release features, among other things, a new housing. This consists of a square column with rounded corners and a low center of gravity. Robot is the fourth base known ‘Plug & Save’ sectionswhich were announced by Hyundai in early 2022. These are modules that combine, among other things, a motor with steering, suspension, brakes and environmental sensors, and can form the basis of various types of robots.

Compared to its predecessor, the DAL-e’s transmission is smaller, which, according to Hyundai and KIA, allows the robot to move more smoothly. At the same time, the loading space for robots has become larger. This now offers space for up to 16 cups of coffee. Usually, users decide for themselves what items they want to transport with the robot.

As soon as you open the cargo hold doors, the cargo slides right towards you. There is also a light that illuminates the load, which makes it easier to identify the desired object or product.

Autonomous navigation in complex environments

The DAL-e presentation can freely find its way through complex environments, which can occupy multiple floors. The robot can handle elevators and access doors, among other things. DAL-e Delivery also independently calculates the best route in real time, allowing it to reach its destination as quickly as possible.

What is also amazing about bots is that you can not only specify the location as the delivery point, but you can also indicate the recipient. DAL-e delivery can then independently identify the recipient using the camera and facial recognition technology. This provides ease of use in practice; Entering a password or PIN code to unlock the luggage compartment is therefore unnecessary. The technology used for this was developed in-house by Hyundai Motor and Kia Robotics Lab. The facial recognition technology has been certified by the Korea Internet and Cyber ​​Security Agency and is rated at 99.9% accurate.

Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Hyundai Motors