Dynamic Micro-Hub

The “Planzer – Dynamic Micro Hub with LOXO” pilot project tests autonomous Level 4 vehicles in Bern for sustainable urban logistics. It aims to modernize middle and last-mile parcel deliveries while reducing emissions. This project marks a milestone for autonomous driving in Switzerland, utilizing innovative micro-hub technology to transport parcels closer to urban centers, where electric vehicles take over. The initiative is supported by both public and private sectors, aiming to enhance efficiency and sustainability in city logistics.

Initiated by

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Location

Bern

Launching year (s)

2024

Project state

On going

Involved members

Micro-efficiency in city format

Innovative technologies are successful when they are scalable. With this goal, Planzer and LOXO are combining their industry-leading expertise: Planzer is supplying the application, LOXO the technology. The result is a pilot vehicle fitted with Level 4 autonomous driving technology, i.e. with nobody at the wheel for this application.

Swiss pioneering spirit in motion

The logistics company Planzer is using ‘Planzer – Dynamic Micro Hub with LOXO’ to substantiate its ‘City Logistics 2028 – dynamism on the last mile’ strategy, which lays an important foundation for highly automated transport logistics that can be built upon in future. For its part, the start-up LOXO has already demonstrated several times that Level 4 autonomous driving makes a significant contribution to the world’s ambitious sustainability targets. With this joint project, Planzer and LOXO are further developing city logistics.

Sustainable efficiency to recipients’ front doors

Planzer and LOXO have incorporated their expertise into a Volkswagen ID.BUZZ. This dynamic micro hub supplies the small Kyburz-branded delivery vehicles that Planzer Parcel uses for last-mile deliveries in inner cities. The micro hub has room for two interchangeable box chassis that have been specially developed by Planzer and Kyburz for this application. This autonomous vehicle picks up supplies several times a day from the Planzer railway centre on Murtenstrasse in Bern. This allows ‘Planzer – Dynamic Micro Hub with LOXO’ to maintain the efficiency of sustainable deliveries in the city centre at peak levels.

Mathilde is back

As a tribute to its founding family, the Swiss family firm Planzer has named the pilot vehicle Mathilde. Mathilde Planzer was the wife of Max Planzer, the founder of Planzer Transport AG. She played a crucial role in developing the company. Mathilde not only helped with the accounts, but also personally delivered goods by handcart and truck, especially during the Second World War, to keep the business running. The ‘mother of the company’ took care of employee wellbeing and was also committed to helping those in need.

Pilot phase in the city of Bern

During the two-year pilot phase in the city of Bern, Mathilde will navigate several times a day from the Planzer railway centre on Murtenstrasse to 14 strategic transfer points for last-mile distribution. These points are spread throughout the city of Bern region, connected by an approved 67-kilometre route network, parts of which feature the most challenging traffic situations, such as lots of bikes and pedestrians. This is where the two interchangeable box chassis containing parcels will be transferred to small electric vehicles and delivered to end customers by Planzer Parcel drivers. After successfully completing the pilot phase, Planzer and LOXO are planning to develop their own service with eight interchangeable box chassis and roll this out in other Swiss cities.