Uncrewed Systems Technology 049 - April/May 2023

Ottonomy Ottobot | Digest and teleoperation function accessible in the Ottonomy Delivery Engine dashboard enables a real-time and detailed overview of deliveries and performance. A diagnostics system in the robot detects signs of faults, and alerts its remote operator if help is needed, typically in the form of a controls override and teleoperation to the nearest workshop. “Teleoperation is a fallback system, not a primary means of using the Ottobot, but it’s still very important to prevent situations like a UGV stopping in the middle of a road,” Vijay says. “That’s why we ensure our data link systems are optimised and use the latest secure technologies where possible. “There’s also automation in how orders are assigned to robots, and it integrates some smart features like tracking battery SoCs so that long-distance orders aren’t given to Ottobots that don’t have the energy to complete the order and still make it to a charging location afterwards.” Infotainment display The 17 in (diagonal) colour-display infotainment screen on the UGV’s front provides a number of functions. These include interactive roles such as displaying messages to encourage people to give way in crowded environments, or showing a limited set of identifiable information so that delivery recipients can recognise when an Ottobot has arrived for them specifically, for example by their name or a two-factor authentication code. “Even when Uber was just starting, there were edge cases where it was important to know your taxi’s number plate because two Ubers would show up in the same spot; the screen gives us options for resolving that,” Vijay says. “Depending on where the UGVs are, it also means we can display targeted adverts for nearby shops, restaurants or services that local pedestrians might be interested in. “There are contextual opportunities beyond that for how the screen can be useful. For instance, in airports, we can display alerts about gates opening, final calls or cancelled flights, and other environments like business or university campuses will have messages their administrators will want disseminated. If another pandemic should occur, it could show reminders for social distancing and hygiene, or information on nearby testing centres.” Messages can be quickly updated ad hoc via 4G and 5G data links, while the screen itself changes tone and brightness according to the time of day, remaining battery and whether it is indoors or outdoors. Body The UGV is predominantly metal, not expressly for collision safety or load bearing but more because Ottonomy is aware that some people might try to steal or break open an Ottobot to seize the goods inside. “We haven’t deliberately made the UGV overly heavy, but by not focusing too much on light weight, we have something weighing around 200 lb – if someone can hoist that up and fast-carry it home, well at that point frankly they deserve it,” Vijay muses. “But that’s difficult, so our customers can trust the security of their delivery a bit more than with many other B2C delivery UGVs that tend to be far lighter and smaller.” Manufacturing is outsourced to a distributed chain of micro-manufacturing partners specialising in components such as sheet metal and plastic moulding, to enable Ottonomy to focus on the autonomy and scale up for different batch requirements. The body’s design meanwhile is produced, assembled and tested in-house. “The robot platform is metal, accounting for around 70% of the UGV, with the other 30% being moulded plastic, such as sensor mounting points and most edges or other potential points of physical contact with pedestrians,” Vijay says. “Therefore, if by chance there is a hard impact with a person, the plastic breaks or deforms to reduce the force.” Future plans Ottonomy is continuing its r&d to refine the Ottobot’s design and useability. In addition to providing modular versions of the 2.0, it unveiled in early January 2023 the Ottobot Yeti, which includes a rearwards-opening door and electromechanical rollers in its cargo bay to enable autonomous drop-off of packages for fully contactless deliveries. The company is also keeping a close eye on evolving regulatory frameworks. Around 20 US states currently allow operations of delivery robots such as the Ottobot, although only two would allow the use of a road-capable version, which Ottonomy hopes to develop once legislation allows. The easing of regulations through proving the safety of systems such as the Ottobots will gradually enable the team to deliver its UGVs to more cities and markets. 57 Uncrewed Systems Technology | April/May 2023 Ottobot 2.0 4WD All-electric Dimensions: 1090 x 750 x 1320 mm Empty weight: 200 lb (90.7 kg) Maximumoperating speed: 6-8 kph (software-limited) Maximum cargo capacity: 120 kg Operating time between charges: 5 hours Charging time: 75-90 minutes (on fast DC charge) Some key suppliers CAD and related consultation: Dassault SolidWorks GNSS: LORD GPUs and related consultation: Nvidia Lidar: Ouster Motor controllers: Roboteq Specifications