back to article Well, now Nuro: Former Waymo devs reveal cute self-driving van tech

Self-driving startup Nuro has unveiled its autonomous delivery vehicle today – as well as $92m (£65.17m) in funding. The R-1, as it has been named, is an electric driverless van approximately as long as a normal car, but half as wide, and has modular interior compartments for all your carrying needs. The company's website has …

  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Why?

    Why make it half as wide?

    It's still going to take up the same amount of road but carry half the amount.

    Makes little sense.

    1. Charlie Clark Silver badge

      Re: Why?

      I suspect this may be for parking, halting reasons. Imagine it more as replacing city couriers than delivery vans.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Why?

      I imagine that the discussion for that went something like this:-

      "Boss, we've got a fatal problem with the new driveless van project. It keeps detecting parked cars at the side of the road that leave so little space that our van can't figure out when it's safe to drive through the gaps against oncoming traffic so it just sits there until all the traffic goes away."

      "Which it never does?"

      "Yeah, pretty much."

      "How about making the van half as wide so it can get through the gaps easily?"

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Why?

      So it'e easier to tip over on the way home from the pub.

      1. Mint Sauce

        Re: Why?

        Beat me to it. Cow tipping now has a 21c upgrade!

      2. Charlie Clark Silver badge

        Re: Why?

        So it'e easier to tip over on the way home from the pub.

        I think you'll find that electric vehicles have a very low centre of gravity… you could be at the game for a while.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Why?

          Challenge accepted.

  2. Stoneshop
    WTF?

    What's with the carrying handle on top?

    "The R-1, as it has been named, is an electric driverless van approximately as long as a normal car, but half as wide, and has modular interior compartments for all your carrying needs."

    Are they going to have matching drones?

  3. The Jon

    R-1?

    I'll wait for the R2 unit.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: R-1?

      "I'll wait for the R2 unit."

      R3 is usually a better bet.

      1. Chemical Bob
        Coat

        Re: R-1?

        R-talk-like-a-pirate is best...

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Application for its use

    As I can't see a seat I can't really see much use for it other than deliveries where someone then has to go to the van. Our receptionists would revolt if they ever had to do that.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Application for its use

      Shhh, you are not mean't to point out that.

      It's like pointing out the flaws with internet connected ovens, dishwashers and washing machine...you know, someone still has to put stuff in and take stuff out.

  5. hatti

    If it is going to be used for Pizza delivery, there will still need to be a compartment for the disenfranchised teenager to carry the Pizza to your door, otherwise you'll have to actually stand up and walk to the front door, then down the path to collect the cheese and topping savoury treat which seems like too much work.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      It's going to be AI powered, open your window and the R-1 will seamlessly catapult your pepperoni pizza onto your lap or use a modified clay pigeon thrower which would be useful for the buy one get one free deals. It's the future.

    2. Montreal Sean

      If they use it for pizza delivery...

      The porn industry will need to come up with new story lines...

  6. PlacidCasual

    Personal Robots Surely

    I get people saying you still have to load the wagon but surely the long term game for something like this with maybe standardised modular interiors will be your business or household robot loads/collects the parcel and takes it into your house. Rob-couriers could work 24/7 which might reduce road burden.

  7. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    It looks like a handbag on wheels.

    Wonder if you'll be able to get knock-offs from street vendors at Trafalgar Square.

  8. Nimby
    Joke

    Essen ist da!

    Clearly the unusual oversized wheels and the even stranger half-width design are intentional so that once it reaches its destination it can roll off the road onto the sidewalk and even up the stairs to knock on your door. And just like the pizza dude it replaces, it will probably also knock over your potted plant.

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