A Whole New Category of Vehicle: The ONO Pedal Assisted Transporter

Grant number: 960713

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19
  • Start & end year

    2020
    2022
  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $2,184,541.08
  • Funder

    European Commission
  • Principal Investigator

    Seelbach Beres
  • Research Location

    Germany
  • Lead Research Institution

    ONOMOTION GMBH
  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A
  • Research Category

    Secondary impacts of disease, response & control measures

  • Research Subcategory

    Economic impacts

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

Worldwide, e-commerce is booming and parcel delivery and urban logistics have experienced rapid growth. And in light of the current Covid-19 virus pandemic, logistics operators are struggling to cope with the enormous increase in demand as people are confined to their homes, doing their part to slow the virus. This adds to the strain on operators'Äô already present challenges such as polluting vehicles, driver shortages, being stuck in traffic jams, and the lack of flexibility in routing and costs. Yet, delivery methods have hardly evolved in the last 90 years. The time is now to rethink and transform urban logistics. At ONO, we believed that there was a need for a vehicle that would bring about change in a positive and meaningful way. So, we created a whole new category of vehicle: the ONO Pedal Assisted Transporter (PAT). It'Äôs a unique solution that is meant to improve city life quality by reducing road congestion and air pollution, all while being accessible to all genders. The ONO PAT combines the flexibility and advantages of a bicycle with the durability and cargo capacity of a van. The weather-protected electric vehicle features over 2100 litres of load volume capacity, integrated cargo loading ramps, an easy battery-swapping system, use of quality Tier-1 automotive components, and an aesthetically polished and distinctive design. Our vehicle also features the very unique selling point of having a modular platform base where one unit can be easily swapped for another module. The scope of this project includes optimising the ONO PAT, and its cargo-unit prototypes for a pre-series production, further developing the technology and software innovations, as well as optimising the business structure needed for commercialisation; preparing and setting-up for manufacturing; setting-up, testing and adjusting our service model ecosystem; testing our pre-series vehicles through fleet deployments; and conducting R&D for additional module-units and a solar roof.