{"id":7634,"date":"2020-12-15T15:50:05","date_gmt":"2020-12-15T14:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.generationrobots.com\/?p=7634"},"modified":"2024-07-26T16:56:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T14:56:12","slug":"the-tabula-project-an-autonomous-shuttle-and-robotic-postal-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/en\/the-tabula-project-an-autonomous-shuttle-and-robotic-postal-service\/","title":{"rendered":"The TaBuLa project: an autonomous shuttle and robotic postal service"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7634\" class=\"elementor elementor-7634\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1ca3e091 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1ca3e091\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4f8e1696\" data-id=\"4f8e1696\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf15d7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf15d7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lauenburg-elbe-a-larger-than-life-testing-environment\">Lauenburg\/Elbe: a larger-than-life testing environment<\/h2>\n\n<p>If you travel to the small town of Lauenburg\/Elbe in Germany, there\u2019s a chance you\u2019ll see a quite unique bus travelling through its streets: the <strong> TaBuLa <\/strong> shuttle.<\/p>\n\n<p>The bus was created as part of a project managed by the <strong> Hamburg University of Technology (TUH) <\/strong> in collaboration with the Duchy of Lauenburg and funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Partners include the City of Hamburg, Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein and Siemens Mobility.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"178\" class=\"wp-image-7611\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.generationrobots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-partners-logos-1.jpg\" alt=\"TaBuLa partners\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-partners-logos-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-partners-logos-1-300x107.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>The aim of the TaBuLa project is to study use of <strong> automated vehicles running within a local public transport network <\/strong> . A test environment has been set up, which requires communication between the shuttle and the town\u2019s traffic lights and automatic bollards. <strong> Passengers have already been travelling free of charge five days a week since October 2019. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>The shuttle route connects the old town, which attracts lots of tourists, with the upper district.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"416\" class=\"wp-image-7626\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.generationrobots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-shuttle-circuit-2.jpg\" alt=\"TaBuLa shuttle bus circuit\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-shuttle-circuit-2.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-shuttle-circuit-2-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Both neighbourhoods offer <strong> many environmental challenges <\/strong> , including uneven ground, cobblestones, high kerbs, narrow streets and wooded areas. The town therefore lends itself to this type of research and development project. The project began on 1 January 2018 and is scheduled to end on 31 December 2020.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-the-tabula-shuttle-work\">How does the TaBuLa shuttle work?<\/h2>\n\n<p><strong> The TaBuLa shuttle is: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automated<\/li>\n\n<li>Electrical<\/li>\n\n<li>Connected<\/li>\n\n<li>Free of charge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-connected\"><strong> Connected <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tabulashuttle.de\/\"> https:\/\/www.TaBuLashuttle.de <\/a> web page shows the exact location of the shuttle <strong> in real time <\/strong> , so you know when it will arrive at your stop.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-autonomous\"><strong> Autonomous <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p>The shuttle drives itself (although there is a driver on board for safety reasons).<\/p>\n\n<p>The vehicle <strong> communicates with all the traffic lights in the town <\/strong> , which tell it when to stop and when to move forward.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"280\" class=\"wp-image-7614\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.generationrobots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-shuttle-communication.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-shuttle-communication.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/tabula-shuttle-communication-300x140.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The TaBuLa shuttle communicates with the town\u2019s street furniture<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>The TaBuLa shuttle is equipped with <strong> sensors <\/strong> that continuously feed back information about its environment.<\/p>\n\n<p>For example, if an obstacle suddenly appears in front of the shuttle, it stops immediately, and will only start again when it no longer detects anything.<\/p>\n\n<p>It also adjusts its speed in relation to the vehicle in front of it, and always leaves a gap of <strong> 3 metres <\/strong> between the front of the shuttle and the rear of the vehicle ahead. TaBuLa operates at a maximum speed of <strong> 18 km\/h <\/strong> .<\/p>\n\n<p>The TaBuLa shuttle <strong> allows enough time <\/strong> for each passenger to board without rushing, and stops automatically at every stop.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tabula-log-project-automated-transport-and-distribution-of-goods\">TaBuLa-LOG project: automated transport and distribution of goods<\/h2>\n\n<p>In addition to transporting people, another project, named <strong> TaBuLa-LOG <\/strong> , has been launched to study the possibility of using the shuttle to carry goods.<\/p>\n\n<p>The TaBuLa shuttle already serves the post office and some administrative buildings. <strong> Mail is transported by a robot <\/strong> . Because this robot \u201cboards\u201d the TaBuLa shuttle, it can travel longer distances and serve different destinations located far apart.<\/p>\n\n<p>The TUH has equipped itself with 2 <a class=\"catalogue\" title=\"Jackal unmanned ground vehicle\" href=\"\/en\/402144-jackal-unmanned-ground-vehicle.html\"> <strong> Jackal mobile robots <\/strong> <\/a> for carrying mail and documents. These robots, designed by the Canadian manufacturer <strong> Clearpath Robotics <\/strong> , are known for being robust and efficient. And because they\u2019re small, they don\u2019t get in the way of the shuttle\u2019s passengers while being able to carry up to <strong> 20 kg <\/strong> .<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" class=\"wp-image-7616\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.generationrobots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/robot-mobile-jacackal-transport-courrier-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/robot-mobile-jacackal-transport-courrier-3.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/robot-mobile-jacackal-transport-courrier-3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>They have a good autonomy ( <strong> 8 hours <\/strong> ) and travel at a top speed of <strong> 2 m\/s <\/strong> , allowing them to complete journeys rapidly.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong> Jackal robot by Clearpath Robotics: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>API: ROS, C++, Python<\/li>\n\n<li>Open-source<\/li>\n\n<li>Active community<\/li>\n\n<li>Numerous online resources<\/li>\n\n<li>Max. payload: 20 kg<\/li>\n\n<li>All-terrain payload: 10 kg<\/li>\n\n<li>Max. speed: 2.0 m\/s<\/li>\n\n<li>Charge time: 4 h<\/li>\n\n<li>Autonomy in standard use: 8 h<\/li>\n\n<li>Standard use: 8 h<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Equipped with a <a href=\"\/en\/206-lidar-sensors-for-robotics-and-automation\"> <strong> LiDAR <\/strong> <\/a> and 4 <a href=\"\/en\/205-depth-sensors\"> <strong> 3D cameras <\/strong> <\/a> , these robots can navigate autonomously to transport mail to the right stops.<\/p>\n\n<figure><\/figure>\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l3YOBqBfQSY?feature=oembed\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\">\n   <\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n<p>For the second phase of this project, there are plans to use a <a href=\"\/en\/404089-husky-a200-ugv-mobile-base.html\"> <strong> Husky robot <\/strong> <\/a> capable of carrying heavier loads than the Jackal, in order to retrieve the mail and dispatch it between the different buildings. The Husky will serve a support role and be used only when large quantities of mail need to be delivered.<\/p>\n\n<p>The Jackals are currently being programmed by TUH researchers to be able to perform all these tasks.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong> Real-world testing is expected to begin in the spring of 2021. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Check out <strong> our blog <\/strong> regularly to learn more about how this unique and innovative German project is progressing.<\/p>\n\n<figure><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4NQijiIR3f8?feature=oembed\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\">\n   <\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-leadin-hubspot-form-block\">\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3da107ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3da107ec\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2760ac91\" data-id=\"2760ac91\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56ff4486 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56ff4486\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Our GR engineers are qualified to help you with your own mobile robots projects &#8211; Contact our 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The bus was created as part of a project managed by the Hamburg University of Technology (TUH) in collaboration with the Duchy[&#8230;]<br \/> <a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/en\/the-tabula-project-an-autonomous-shuttle-and-robotic-postal-service\/\" style=\"float:right;\">Read this article &gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":188,"featured_media":7624,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10545,10541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comparisons-and-tests-products","category-customer-cases-applications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/188"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7634"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18469,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7634\/revisions\/18469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.generationrobots.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}