Yutong Robosweeper is the first utility drone

The Chinese company Yutong, together with the employees of WeRide Zhixing, presented the concept of a vehicle that can clean the streets without human intervention. To date, several dozen copies have been built, they are being tested in real conditions and will soon be certified in China.

Totals

The manufacturer Yutong is known for its buses, which are also used in Russia. But the company is constantly experimenting with new modes of transport and one of the options was a car for public utilities. From the outside, it resembles a medium-sized van, a special vehicle gives out equipment fixed at the bottom.



The characteristics have not yet been reported, but it is known that the car will be able to perform the entire range of tasks available to the usual options that take to the streets every day. In addition to cleaning, the novelty will be used as an ambulance or for disinfection of the roadway and sidewalk. Functionality may vary depending on the installed equipment.

Technical features

The main advantage is the level 4 autopilot, thanks to which Robosweeper moves without human intervention and is able to perform all assigned tasks offline. Transport received the most modern navigation with a detailed map, a complex of several cameras and lidars is responsible for safety.

The system is able to clearly perform the assigned tasks and move along the established route. But at the same time, it reacts to events around, which eliminates emergency situations and collisions with pedestrians. According to the developers, the level of safety of the autonomous model is several times higher than that of the versions with a driver, since the situation is controlled 360 degrees.



To date, about 30 units have been sent for testing in several Chinese cities. At this stage, the process is constantly monitored by the operator, plus the system collects data and analyzes the work. Information is monitored daily to quickly make adjustments to settings and improve work efficiency.

According to the plan, the first cars will be sent to customers in 2024, but much depends on the certification and issuance of a permit for the operation of unmanned vehicles. The developers note that the model is almost ready, and the autopilot copes well with the tasks.