Autonomous mules
I was reading this weekend that the US Army have developed autonomous vehicles which can follow troops and carry heavy packs and ammunition.
On the way to the station this morning I passed a postman on his bike with four packs of letters – one on his back, 2 in panniers over the back wheels, and one across the handlebars, and wondered if an autonomous mule might be applicable in the postal industry.
The ‘mule’ in question was a 6 wheeled all terrain vehicle with advanced sensors and computing such that it can follow a soldier, avoid obstacles and return to base on its own to restock items and then return to the battlefield. The mule appears to be able to carry a load of up to 300 pounds and has fuel on-board for a few hundred miles and follows a tag that the soldier wears on his pack.
This concept seemed to be applicable to the postal worker who, unencumbered, by the weight of mail could walk faster and deliver more mail and packets, with his mailbag being restocked by the mule! He could not only be restocked with letters, etc. but presumably have his coffee and bacon sandwich delivered as well.
Of course there are many issues with this concept – pedestrian safety, traffic, and of course dog and cat safety – that would never make it acceptable. The other issue would be how could you stop it following you?
Anyhow, it got me thinking about are there other technologies from the military that could be deployed in the postal sector – apart from weaponary that is?
Thoughts on possible crossover technologies?
