University of Iowa Professor Ann Campbell, along with her students, is researching ways to increase the efficiency in the “last mile” of package deliveries to consumers. With the shift to online shopping accelerated by the pandemic, there is a growing demand for delivery services, leading to the need for more efficient methods. Campbell and her students are exploring new delivery concepts such as autonomous delivery trucks, package robots, high-speed delivery tunnels, and crowd shipping.
One of the students, Iurii Bakach, developed an algorithm to help companies decide whether to use robots or traditional trucks for deliveries based on factors like traffic lights and navigation. Another student is researching parking recommendations for delivery drivers to improve efficiency. The research aims to cut costs, improve customer experience, and benefit the environment. Campbell believes that cross-company collaboration could be a significant financial win in reducing resources needed for last-mile delivery. The research is crucial in a world where online shopping continues to dominate consumer habits.
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