January 13, 2022 – This week Nuro took the wraps off its third-generation autonomous delivery vehicle, following up on the smaller R2 units that have been deployed since 2020. The latest model, according to Nuro, represents an improvement over previous designs, and is ready to enter mass production.
The electric delivery robot new features dual 27-cubic-foot compartments that can carry almost 500 pounds, or about 24 grocery bags. The two cargo bays can also feature modular inserts for heating and cooling, as most of the robots will be aimed at food delivery tasks. The new robot will have a top speed of 45 mph and will be able to operate on city streets, if not highways.
One new addition when it comes to safety is an external passenger airbag, designed to deploy in front of the vehicle to soften any potential impact with pedestrians or cyclists.