APRIL 8, 2021 — General Motors Company subsidiary BrightDrop is teaming up with the Urban Freight Lab to host a Research Challenge, providing students an opportunity to utilize their design and engineering skills and formulate recommendations and use cases on a new product: a next-generation self-propelled electric pallet (EP1) that can drive itself onto and off of a vehicle and follow a delivery worker around a neighborhood delivering packages, increasing efficiency and sustainability and reduce costs.
The BrightDrop / Urban Freight Lab EP1 Design Competition inviting University of Washington undergraduate or graduate students or affiliates an opportunity to make an impact on new product development — and win a $2,500 cash prize, recognition, and a trip to San Francisco or Detroit to meet BrightDrop leadership and tour facilities. Weigh in on the design, engineering, and business case of the EP1.
The Problem
The demand for last-mile deliveries has soared, while the cost of performing the last-mile has increased. Supply chain companies and carriers are designing and engineering new ways to leverage technologies to improve delivery efficiency, safety, and sustainability while reducing costs.
Background
BrightDrop, a subsidiary operation of General Motors Company, is teaming up with the University of Washington’s Urban Freight Lab to offer an exciting challenge for students to expand their skills in design and engineering. BrightDrop has released a next-generation self-propelled electric pallet (EP1) that can be loaded at a warehouse, drive itself onto and off of a vehicle, and follow a delivery worker around a neighborhood delivering packages. In an initial pilot test with FedEx, couriers were able to effectively and safely handle 25% more packages per day using the EP1.
The Objective
The objective of the challenge is to engage students in developing innovative ideas and recommendations for an improved version of the EP1 and business cases on how the EP1 product can improve efficiency and reduce costs and environmental impacts. Recommendations could be around additional features and functionality, more effective materials, and use cases, just to name a few.
Eligibility
The competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Washington. Participants affiliated with any department are welcomed.
Learn more or Sign Up
To sign up: https://forms.gle/c1Q8VcLRaoCQqpgx9
For additional details: http://depts.washington.edu/sctlctr/ep1
For questions: Mohammad Ehaab (BrightDrop) at mohammad.ehaab@gobrightdrop.com or Giacomo Dalla Chiara (University of Washington Urban Freight Lab) at giacomod@uw.edu.