New Delhi: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor) and Kia Corporation (Kia) recently introduced the updated design of their DAL-e Delivery robot, accompanied by images and a video clip (URL).

This new iteration of the delivery robot, which builds upon the original model unveiled in December 2022, is anticipated to enhance delivery efficiency, particularly in intricate settings like offices and shopping malls.

Incorporating insights from Hyundai Motor and Kia’s prior conveyance pilot project, the DAL-e Delivery robot has undergone substantial enhancements in both design and performance to facilitate swift and reliable delivery services in complex indoor environments.

Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor and Kia, emphasized the robot’s capacity to provide efficient and dependable F&B and parcel dispatch services, ensuring prompt delivery for customers. The companies envision integrating this technology into diverse spaces, including offices, restaurants, and shopping malls.

The design of the DAL-e Delivery robot prioritizes driving stability, featuring a square column with rounded corners and a low center of gravity. Discreetly integrated sensors and a sophisticated metal-like design contribute to its sleek, premium aesthetic.

Equipped with four Plug & Drive (PnD) modules, a mobility solution combining a motor with steering, suspension, braking systems, and environmental recognition sensors, the DAL-e Delivery robot can achieve speeds of up to 1.2 m/s. Its free-moving PnD modules, in combination with advanced autonomous driving technology, enable obstacle recognition and seamless navigation in congested areas. Additionally, enhanced suspension ensures stable delivery over uneven surfaces.

While being smaller in size than its predecessor, the DAL-e Delivery robot offers a larger internal cargo space, capable of accommodating up to 16 cups of coffee and transporting items weighing up to 10 kg, thereby providing convenient delivery solutions for bulky and heavy packages.

Internally, a subtle light aids in item recognition, and the door’s design allows for convenient loading and unloading of items.

The standout feature of the DAL-e Delivery robot is its autonomous driving capability, enabling seamless navigation to and from all building floors while interfacing with the elevator and door control system. Real-time route optimization further ensures efficient delivery service.

Upon arrival at the destination, the robot utilizes an installed camera and advanced AI facial identification technology, developed by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab, to recognize the recipient, automatically opening the door without requiring a password input. This facial recognition technology, certified by the Korea Internet and Security Agency for its 99.9 percent accuracy, underscores the technological excellence of the Robotics Lab.

An 11.6-inch high-resolution display on the robot provides clear representation of the service status, showcasing essential information such as destination and operation status, enhancing user and pedestrian understanding of the robot’s service status. Additionally, animated facial expressions displayed on the screen aim to enhance customer interaction.

Hyundai Motor and Kia are set to deploy the DAL-e Delivery robot at IGIS Asset Management’s ‘Factorial Seongsu’ in the second quarter of this year. This smart office building, located in Seoul, is scheduled to open for occupancy in April. The deployment follows a business agreement signed between Hyundai Motor, Kia, and IGIS in May last year, aimed at commercializing robot-friendly buildings.

This revised version aims to present the information in a neutral, factual manner, focusing on the technological advancements and practical applications of the DAL-e Delivery robot without employing exaggerated or subjective language.