The Vision Van Research Vehicle by Mercedes-Benz Vans

Geschreven op 20-8-2017 - Erik van Erne. Geplaatst in Vervoer en OV

Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off a concept that it hopes will allow the commercial vans division of the company to branch out into logistics and delivery. Think of it as the kitchen sink approach: not only does the van have every of-the-moment gizmo imaginable, it also represents an entirely Mercedes supply chain from warehousing to final delivery. Oh, and it has a couple of delivery drones on the roof.

Mercedes calls it the Vision Van, which sounds a lot like something you’d see parked at an Arby’s with a mural of a wizard riding a dragon on it. There aren’t any murals on the big, blank, plain slab sides. Think of it as more of a collection of preexisting ideas brought together in an integrated system, or a particularly new vehicle idea, and you’re on the right track. It’s bringing all this stuff together that’s the interesting part. After all, you’ve seen concept vehicles with joystick controls and plenty of fully electric city vehicles already.

The basic premise is that Mercedes will sell, lease, or even rent on demand the capacity in both the storage and delivery system, but also vans much like this concept themselves. The company doesn’t feel strongly about the ownership model in this instance, because it can make a lot of money convincing buyers to adopt its system wholesale. In return, Mercedes is offering both a turn-key solution and multiple gains in efficiency over a partially-networked logistical system.

The Vision Van concept itself is a battery-electric vehicle intended for dense urban delivery, with about 100 horsepower and a range of just under 170 miles. Ignore the drones; the really neat stuff is in back. There’s a one-shot loading system, essentially fitted smart racks that slide into the cargo area robotically. At the delivery location, the rack with the package maneuvers itself automatically to a pass-through just behind the driver, preventing time lost both loading the van efficiently and repacking the cargo area to get the packages ready for the next delivery. When it’s done, the robot slides out the rack and slides in the next one. The robot loader isn’t quick, but this is all a concept anyhow.

The precariously-perched rooftop drones look neat, and they also are loaded automatically through a port in the roof. It’s an interesting idea to have delivery trucks serve as mobile drone carriers and probably the most gee-whiz feature here.

As long as this hypothetical supply chain eliminates humans at the distribution center and in the air, why have a human in the Vision Van at all? That seems to be the next logical step for the fully-autonomous logistical network of the immediate future. We’ll look back on the Vision Van in 20 years and laugh that it had a seat for the delivery person at all. Until then, don’t expect to see this particular van launching drones around your neighborhood soon – it’s just a concept, but not a far-fetched one.

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Erik van Erne zegt:

21 november 2019 om 11:11 | Permalink

Mercedes Vision Van Research Vehicle Unveiling by DPC Cars

Mercedes-Benz Vans launches future initiative avance to expand its growth strategy and develop new business models. Investments of approximately 500 million euros over the next five years for digitalisation, automation and robotics in vans as well as innovative mobility solutions.

New organisational unit within the start-up scene in Stuttgart, Berlin and Silicon Valley – approximately 200 employees already work on numerous projects.

Close cooperation with start-ups, including first strategic investments – among others in Matternet. All-electric “Vision Van” van study with a range of up to 270 km, fully automated cargo space and integrated drones

Anders Bekeken