Hi, I'm Ottobot!

• Who developed Ottobot?

  Ottobot was developed by Ottonomy.IO, a startup based out of Brooklyn, NY. The team at Ottonomy.IO has a background in autonomous vehicles and launched the first fully autonomous robot, Ottobot, in 2021 at the Cincinnati International Airport (CVG). 

• Does Ottobot drive on his own?

  Yes, with the help of contextual mapping and AI Ottobot has learned to navigate in complicated traffic on its own. Advanced sensors and cameras are mounted on the robot, which enables it to "see and sense" its surroundings. Ottobot uses data from LIDAR sensors to recognize objects in traffic, such as pedestrians, bicycles, and other vehicles. It also identifies pavements, cycle lanes and motorways, as well as traffic signs and road marks. After tons of training, Ottobot has become smart enough to drive himself and make his own decisions on his way to the restaurants. 

• How fast does Ottobot drive?

  Ottobot is developed to drive among pedestrians and has a maximum speed of 6 km/h. However, Ottobot normally holds an average speed of 3-4 km/h. 

• What is Ottobot’s size?

  Ottobot holds a net weight of approximately 100 kilos and carries goods weighing up to 80 kilos. The dimensions of Ottobot are 1110mm x 720mm x 1350mm in length, width, and height. 

• Can I get run over by Ottobot?

  If you get within Ottobot's safety zones, it will brake and drive at a lower speed. If you get too close, Ottobot will stop and stand still until you move. 

• What happens if my child runs in front of Ottobot?

  Ottobot has sensors that detect obstacles of all heights and sizes, so it will neither run over your child nor anyone else. 

• Is Ottobot remotely controlled?

  Ottobot is fully autonomous and does not need to be controlled by an operator, however, if something went wrong, Ottobot can trigger an alert if it should get stuck or need "help".  An operator will be able to remotely control it to get it back in order or to a safer location. 

• Does Ottobot monitor people and its environment?

  Ottobot is equipped with a camera so the operators can override the robot's actions. Maps that are taken of the environment in which it runs are stored locally on the robot. All identifying information about people is anonymized, and the information will only be retrieved for review if an incident or situation arises that we need to learn from. Ottobot does not take pictures or store images of people. 
   
   

• How do you ensure safety?

  The project has been approved by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration in accordance with the 'Act on the testing of self-driving vehicles'. This means that the experiment and the autonomous robots must maintain strict requirements in terms of traffic safety, privacy, and technology. In this project, our partner Holo is responsible for all formal security measures. 

• Which kind of vehicle is Ottobot?

  Ottobot is categorized as a machine and falls under the rules of the Machinery Directive. It is also CE-marked, which means that it meets all the requirements set by the authorities for, among other things, safety subject to the Machinery Directive. 

• Under which weather conditions does Ottobot operate?

  Firstly, this is one of the main learning points for the project, but Ottobot has previously driven in both rain, sun, snow, and heavy wind. 

• Which goods does Ottobot transport?

  Using the digital marketplace Amoi, the restaurants sell various food kits, cheeses and refrigerated products. In turn, Ottobot will pick up the goods sold from ASIA and Winther. 

• Can I have my goods delivered with Ottobot?

  In this project, Ottobot will only collect goods from our selected restaurants; Asia and Winther. After the goods have been picked up, it will drive back to Posten's hub in Filipstad, where couriers will come to pick up the goods and drive them out to the end customer. Ottobot does not deliver goods to end customers for this project, only to Posten's hub. If you have ordered from the restaurants during the project period, there is a high probability that Ottobot has picked them up, but the items will be delivered home in the usual way by one of our couriers. In other words, you cannot experience order collection of your parcels with Ottobot. 

• Are my goods safe with Ottobot?

  Yes, your goods are safe with Ottobot. The goods are locked in Ottobots cabin at all times, and only our restaurants and couriers have the opportunity to open it. If your goods are not of the expected quality, please contact Amoi's customer service. 

• Will Ottobot replace a regular letter carrier?

  No, Ottobot will only be tested for a limited period so that we learn as much as possible about how people interact with the robot, how mature the technology is, and whether Ottobot can in the future help solve challenges in connection with picking up and delivering goods in the city. If Ottobot solves the tasks it is supposed to, it will help our messengers with difficult tasks and make their everyday lives easier. 

• Can or should I help Ottobot if he is stuck in snow or other obstacles?

  No, you won't have to do that. If Ottobot gets stuck in the snow or other obstacles, the operators will intervene and remotely control it or come out to Ottobot to help him where it is stuck. 

• Is Ottobot environmentally friendly?

  Ottobot is 100% electric, of course. Ottobot also received the 2021 Sustainability Product of the year award winner by Business Intelligent Awards. The electric driving technology helps reduce carbon footprints of the delivery process and helps organizations meet their sustainable technology and environmental goals. 

• How often does Ottobot need to be charged?

  Ottobot may operate for four hours before charging is necessary.