DHL issues RoboChallenge
DHL has challenged visionaries and inventors to come up with new ideas for sustainable logistics and using robotics. DHL has issued two challenges, which are both open to Universities, students, companies … indeed anyone over 18. Applicants must submit a written document and video explaining their ideas by 28 September.
The “Fair and Responsible Challenge” requires visionaries to come up with a concept design that “creates sustainable logistics solutions for the world of tomorrow”. DHL gave some pointers on what it is looking for: “Concepts could be connected to using logistics to facilitate the circular economy or using global transportation networks to provide fair trade and production. The idea can be anything from a new product, a service solution to a packaging concept, as long as it generates value for the society, environment and businesses.”
The “Robotics Challenge” aims to develop a prototype of a self-driving delivery cart that can autonomously accompany staff during last mile delivery.
Bill Meahl, Chief Commercial Officer, DHL. explained the significance of this challenge: “Our colleagues have to deal with an ever-increasing number of parcels that need to be delivered. As our couriers are currently required to manually push this volume through the streets, we encourage concepts that support our employees,”
The prototypes need to be able to travel across typical urban and rural landscapes at walking-speed while carrying parcels.
Following pre-selection, a panel of logistics experts will select three finalists of each challenge, who then have the chance to present their idea or prototype in front of 180 senior supply chain professionals at the DHL Innovation Day on 17 November. For each challenge a winner is awarded during a live-voting process. The highest numbers of votes are awarded as winners of the DHL Innovation Challenge, receive a monetary prize out of a pool of combined 20,000 Euro, and display their idea at the DHL innovation Centers in Troisdorf/Germany and Singapore. In addition, DHL will invite the winners to discuss opportunities to materialize their ideas into a joint proof of concept.
For more information please visit http://www.dhlinnovationchallenge.com.
