A Self-Driving Cycle Rickshaw for Autonomous Urban Passenger and Freight Transport

This paper presents the implementation and potential use-cases of a new innovative development of a fully connected and automated three-wheeled cycle rickshaw. The rickshaw is used for transporting passengers or logistics parcels or a combination of both. For this purpose, the rickshaw is equipped with an electric power train system including a lithium accumulator as well as actuators for breaking, propulsion and the steering of the front wheel. The environmental sensing is currently realized via three LiDAR sensors mounted at the roof of the rickshaw observing the 360-degree surrounding of the vehicle. Equipped with a state-of-the-art on-board unit for V2X-communication and remote-control access in cases of overstress situations for the trajectory planning and self-driving functionality the rickshaw represents a fully equipped connected and automated vehicle for urban road traffic. The rickshaw shows a substantial potential to increase the productivity, reliability and flexibility of logistics and transport services. A higher degree of automation in logistics and freight transport – within this prototypical implementation realized by the self-driving functionality – allows for a more cost-efficient operation of logistics fleets and businesses. Additionally, less weight due to the absence of a driver and light-weight components also leads to a reduced energy consumption. The developed self-driving rickshaw gives the opportunity to automatize first- and last-mile logistics services as well as passenger transport with reduced costs.     «

This paper presents the implementation and potential use-cases of a new innovative development of a fully connected and automated three-wheeled cycle rickshaw. The rickshaw is used for transporting passengers or logistics parcels or a combination of both. For this purpose, the rickshaw is equipped with an electric power train system including a lithium accumulator as well as actuators for breaking, propulsion and the steering of the front wheel. The environmental sensing is currently realized vi...     »