Autonomous driving doesn't yet mean autonomous operation, especially when it comes to delivery. At the same time, AV for delivery is only viable when it's cost-efficient enough to make and operate. In order to achieve that, design effort is needed not only on the end customer experience, but also on the behind-the-scenes journey. MuvHub 01 is an attempt to tackle exactly that: to design an autonomous delivery vehicle that's cheaper to make, easier to operate, and ships more packages per day.

Design Team

Zhaokun Wang, Industrial Designer

Most existing autonomous delivery vehicle designs are highly reliant on human operation. For example, package distribution involves manually loading cargos to each vehicle, which slows down rotation rate as the vehicles need to park and wait to get loaded. To streamline this process, California based designer Zhaokun Wang draws inspiration from the modern assembly line to create MuvHub 01's modular design. With the detachable delivery container, MuvHub 01 is able to operate completely without human intervention end to end: from loading cargo at warehouse to stopping by residence for pick-up. The vehicle can quickly offload and load cargo while the containers can be prepared separately in parallel, so that downtime between rotations is minimized, resulting in swift package deliveries. Additionally, The reduction in simultaneous vehicle parking demands smaller warehouse space, presenting another advantage from a service provider's perspective.

MuvHub 01's modular approach not only enhances efficiency but also makes the platform highly adaptable. By simply swapping out the inexpensive container, the vehicle can easily transition to various purposes, from package delivery to specialized tasks like food or grocery transport. This cost-effective solution outshines vehicles designed solely for specific applications, which are less flexible and tend to be more expensive to build and modify.

The form of MuvHub 01 is highly function-driven to work and look efficient and purposeful. As an electric autonomous vehicle, the platform is packaged around a skateboard style battery-motor system and the container space. The "sliced volume" design language integrates the sensors seamlessly, ensuring a sleek aesthetic. For instance, None of the 6 lidars protrudes out of its clean, rectangular silhouette. With symmetrical front-back design, manufacturing costs are reduced, contributing to a simpler and more economical production process. This minimalist platform design places emphasis on the delivery container, providing fleet owners the freedom to brand and customize for a unique pick-up experience. From end customers' perspective, MuvHub 01 looks and works like a moving delivery hub so it's very intuitive to adapt and use.

MuvHub 01 is more than a purpose-built autonomous delivery vehicle. It offers an improved shipping system with a higher level of autonomy and lower manufacturing and operational cost. Its design maximizes efficiency and extends its lifespan without the need for costly modifications, ultimately reducing energy consumption and environmental impact over time.

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