How Nuro is Strengthening the Security of Its Delivery Robots

Nuro has strengthened the security of its delivery robot, whose 3rd generation is ready to roll out at large scale.

While Google and Uber focus on transporting people, Nuro continues along the path of delivery. The Californian startup has set out to free its users from grocery shopping at the supermarket.

To this end, it is developing an autonomous delivery vehicle, the third generation of which was introduced on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Succeeding “R2”, the new robot offers multiple improvements and emphasizes safety.

Doubled Capacity

First of all, the third-generation Nuro robot is more refined in appearance. It integrates its numerous lidars, radars, and other sensors more seamlessly and no longer looks like a prototype. It doubles its loading capacity, with two compartments now capable of being heated or cooled to keep a pizza warm or groceries fresh.

Enhanced Safety

In terms of safety, the vehicle remains 20% narrower than a conventional car, which, according to Nuro, promotes the flow of cyclists and pedestrians. Its sensors are now self-cleaning, ensuring their proper functioning turn after turn.

The new Nuro also features, above all, an external frontal airbag that deploys if it detects an imminent collision with a pedestrian. Nuro is taking proactive measures: to address the rise in pedestrian fatalities in the United States (+50% in 10 years), the Biden administration has called for a revision of vehicle safety rating systems to include pedestrian safety. Until now, these ratings only considered occupant safety.

Large-Scale Production

The new robot has been designed for high-volume manufacturing. Nuro aims to produce tens of thousands in a factory it is building in Nevada, with the goal of delivering to “millions” of customers in the medium term. The motor and battery are supplied by the American subsidiary of Chinese automaker BYD, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric vehicles.

The third-generation Nuro robot is thus on track to become the first mass-produced, zero-occupant autonomous vehicle.

Also read: Nuro’s autonomous vehicles deliver their first pizzas in California