Colruyt Group Collect&Go service tests out Clevon unmanned vehicle in Belgium
Collect&Go, Colruyt Group’s online shopping service, is trialling an autonomous vehicle built by Clevon that combines remote teleoperation with autopilot functionality.
The Clevon 1 will cover a four kilometre route, from distribution centre to Collect&Go's pick-up point in Londerzeel. This is the longest route ever covered in Belgium by an unmanned vehicle.
Kim Vancauwenberghe, Managing Director at Colruyt Group Smart Technics, comments: "In this first phase, we mainly want to test the technology, study what the vehicle is already capable of and see how, together with the local and federal government, we can provide not only safe, but also ecological transport on public roads in an urban environment.”
“The tests not only provide useful insights for the online shopping service Collect&Go. Other formulas in our group are also following the study with great interest."
Tom De Prater, Business Unit Manager at Collect&Go, says: "Online grocery shopping is an important pillar for Colruyt Group and it is our ambition to be and remain best of class in this.”
“In a rapidly changing e-commerce context, we are therefore constantly looking for ways to organise the last mile as efficiently and sustainably as possible.”
“There is already a worldwide shortage of drivers, the cost of those last kilometres is sky high and mobility in cities is a real challenge. Investing in innovation, new solutions and state-of-the-art technologies is therefore crucial.”
“This pilot project obviously fits in with that. We are enthusiastic about the potential, at the same time we are very realistic and will proceed step by step."
Sander Sebastian Agur, CEO at Clevon, says: “Our third generation autonomous driving vehicle Clevon 1 has the necessary permits to drive on public roads in Estonia and Lithuania.”
“Licence applications are pending in the United States and many other European countries.”
“Our driverless, all electric vehicles have already been in city traffic for 2.5 years with an impeccable safety record, proving that the technology is functional and safe for everyone around.”
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