Mårten Malmnäs & Siri Müller / Verto: A system approach for an automatic battery swapping solution of various vehicles to reduce unnecessary downtime in production.
The Future of Logistics
Methodology in Product Design (APD1)
2023
This project was carried out in collaboration with Einride, a Swedish logistics company specializing in both electric and self-driving trucks. The self-driving vehicles produced by Einride, are recognisable for their absence of the cab and are designed to be remotely supervised and controlled by lisenced operators. The freight transport sector is a relatively conservative, low-margin industry where innovations are adopted slowly. Therefore, the ambitious objective with this study was to explore the opportunities for using design to make the future of logistic more visibly tangible and contribute with impulses for the radical change that is urgently needed, this by considering the three main technology pillars embraced by Einride of digitalization, electrification and automation.
Process
The course started with an introduction to Einride and a study trip to Gothenburg to see Einride’s Vision Shop up-close, where the company’s autonomous trucks are built, and for a visit to AstaZero, the special test track for autonomous vehicles outside of Gothenburg.
After returning to Umeå, four local logistic sites were visited in, around, and outside of the city; DB Schenker, the railway-terminal, the Wasaline ferry to Finland and the commercial port of Umeå in Holmsund.
Based on all this input and additional desktop research, the students ideated on new directions within logistics and formed either smaller project teams or worked individually on a design opportunity of their own choice.
Outcome
The outcome of the study were eight projects each with their own different take on the future of logistics, ranging from a complete service solution for autonomously swapping batteries on a fleet of different vehicles, to a vision for how to upgrade so-called “dumb trailers” with a sensor module to sync directly with the modern self-driving tractors, to a concept for how to transform a standard Euro Pallet to being ideal for high cost and temperature sensitive cargo like medicine, to a modular working environment for remote operators, to a take on how Einride could broaden its service offering and site scanning at customers before autonomous vehicles are brought in, to a more personal drivers experience in the conventional truck interiors, to different solutions on cargo and package management.
Term Project 1
Master's Programme in Advanced Product Design
In collaboration with:
Einride field study
The Einride research trip included visits to different logistics hubs in and outside Umeå as well as the Einride VisionShop and AstaZero, a test track for automated transport systems, located outside of Gothenburg.
David Bertl & Nicolò Vincenzi / Fjord: A product concept for how to upgrade old traditional trailers so they can communicate with new autonomous tractors.
Xiaoyu Yu / Medi-pal: A concept for how to transform a standard Euro Pallet to offer remote monitoring and control of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical goods.
Cosima Pauli & Pierre Brand / Odin: A modular remote operator system to enhance the handling of autonomous trucks through Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.
Lenz Bätzing & Julius Bahl / SEIDR: An autonomous kit consisting of a drone for aerial mapping and a vehicle for terrestrial mapping and simulation.
Frida Neckmar / Freja: An extension of Einride’s Saga system, tailored to each driver’s personal and professional needs inside and outside the cab.
Elinor Parra / Huddle: A concept for how to achieve the ultimate load capacity of trucks using autonomous moving platforms and specialized pallets.
Isabelle Olsson / SortAid: A robot that helps pack, unpack and sort packages sent with roll cages.
