Photo via Knightscope

The role of robots in the workplace is evolving through the power of lidar technology. Robots are moving beyond being stationary workhorses in industries, such as manufacturing, to becoming mobile machines that operate autonomously and traverse changing and unstructured environments.

FedEx is the latest company to introduce mobile robot services with the FedEx SameDay Bot, which it says could help make “last mile” deliveries more efficient. As noted in The Verge, the delivery bot “can steer itself around pedestrians and traffic using a combination of LIDAR sensors like those found in self-driving cars and regular cameras.”’

In an announcement on its website, FedEx describes its vision of an “autonomous delivery device designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers.”

The Velodyne blog recently explored “8 Ways Lidar Brings Mobile Robots to Life,” enabling them to handle customer deliveries and many other mobile tasks. The diverse range of areas that robots will transform includes security, industrial automation, food, retail, and grocery delivery.

The post reviewed how lidar sensors are essential for robotic autonomy and navigation. It examined eight lidar capabilities needed for mobile robotics success, looking a field of view, range, power consumption, and more.

With lidar helping robots operate outside controlled situations and function in unfamiliar and unpredictable settings, keep a watch for delivery service robots wheeling down city streets!

For Velodyne Lidar products click HERE

Photo via Knightscope