Delivery robot autonomously lifts, transports heavy cargo

Autonomous delivery robots are already starting to change the way goods move around cities and warehouses, but most still need humans to load and unload their cargo. That's where LEVA comes in. Developed by engineers and designers from ETH Zurich and other Swiss universities, LEVA is a robot that can not only navigate tricky environments but also lift and carry heavy boxes all on its own, making deliveries smoother and more efficient.

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Most delivery robots either roll on wheels or walk on legs, but LEVA combines both. It has four legs, and each leg ends with a motorized, steerable wheel. This means on smooth surfaces like sidewalks, LEVA can roll quickly and efficiently, almost like a little car. When it encounters stairs, curbs or rough ground, it locks its wheels and walks or climbs like a four-legged animal. This unique design lets LEVA handle both flat urban streets and uneven terrain with ease.

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LEVA uses a mix of GPS, lidar sensors and five cameras placed around its body to understand its surroundings. These tools help it navigate city streets or indoor hallways while avoiding obstacles. One camera even looks downward to help LEVA line itself up perfectly when it's time to pick up or drop off cargo.

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What really sets LEVA apart is its ability to load and unload cargo boxes without any human help. It spots a standard cargo box, moves right over it, lowers itself by bending its legs and then locks onto the box using powered hooks underneath its body. After securing the box, LEVA lifts itself back up and carries the load to its destination. It can handle boxes weighing up to 187 pounds, which is pretty impressive for a robot of its size.

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LEVA is about 4 feet long and 2.5 feet wide, with an adjustable height between 2 and 3 feet. It weighs around 187 pounds and can carry the same amount of cargo. Thanks to its wheels and legs, it can move smoothly on flat surfaces, climb stairs and handle rough terrain. Its sensors and cameras give it a sharp sense of where it is and what's around it.

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LEVA's flexibility makes it useful in many places. It could deliver packages right to your doorstep, even if you live in a building with stairs. Farmers might use it to move supplies across fields. On construction sites, it could carry tools and materials over uneven ground. It might even assist in emergency situations by bringing supplies through rubble or rough terrain.

For folks like us, LEVA could mean faster, more reliable deliveries, especially in tricky urban areas where stairs and curbs often slow things down. For businesses, it means cutting down on the need for manual labor to load and unload heavy items, which can reduce injuries and lower costs.

It also means deliveries and material handling could happen around the clock without breaks, boosting efficiency. In industries like farming, construction and emergency response, LEVA's ability to get through tough terrain while carrying heavy loads could make a big difference in how quickly and safely supplies get where they need to go.

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The first LEVA prototype has shown it can do a lot, but there's still work to be done. The team is improving its energy use, making it better at climbing stairs, and enhancing its ability to operate fully on its own. The goal is to have LEVA become a reliable part of automated delivery systems that work smoothly in real-world settings.

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LEVA blends the best of wheels and legs with the unique ability to load and unload itself. This makes it a promising tool for industries that need robots to be flexible, strong and smart. As LEVA continues to develop, it could change the way deliveries and material transport happen, making them faster, safer and more efficient for everyone.

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