Avride Introduces Next Generation Curbside Delivery Robots

The company currently plans to operate a fleet of six-wheeled delivery robots in Austin, Texas, that will deliver Uber Eats orders to customers, as well as in South Korea. Now the next-generation Avride model does away with a pair of wheels and boasts significant efficiency gains.

The new robot has only four wheels, which Avride says is more energy efficient than its six-wheeled model. The six-wheeled versions were easy to assemble and could turn confidently on a wide variety of surfaces. But they also created a lot of friction, which drained a lot of energy from the robot’s internal battery.

New four-wheel designs are much more energy efficient, meaning they can run longer before needing a recharge. And Avride has redesigned the chassis to provide improved agility and precision.

The robot’s wheels are mounted on movable arms attached to a pivoting axle, which allows the wheels to rotate both inward and outward, reducing friction during turns. And instead of using a traditional front and rear axle, the wheels are mechanically connected in pairs on each side. This allows the steering angles of both wheels on each side to be adjusted simultaneously, providing precise positioning for maneuvers, Avride says.

The new generation of models can turn 180 degrees almost instantly, which the company says will improve the robot’s ability to navigate narrow sidewalks and back out of the way for people in a wheelchair or stroller.

This video shows how the new Avride robot can negotiate tight turns and climbs.

The company has also improved the robot’s control system to improve torque and updated the hardware with Nvidia’s Jetson Orin platform. The modular cargo compartment will now allow Avride operators to swap out different compartments depending on the size of the package. And a new LED panel on the front can display friendly digital eyes to reduce the number of times the robot is attacked or vandalized.

“Different eye expressions not only bring the robot to life, but also create a sense of interaction among customers when the robot looks around or winks after delivering an order,” the company says.

Avride’s new robots are manufactured in Taiwan and are expected to join its Austin fleet in the coming days. Avride spokeswoman Yulia Shveiko said the company expects to deploy “at least a hundred” by January 2025.

The company recently entered into an agreement with Uber to expand its operations in Jersey City and Dallas, as well as launch a robotaxi service.