The vehicle platform forms the basis of all UrbANT micromobility device. All the hardware required for autonomous driving is integrated into it. In addition to the powertrain, chassis and vehicle structure, this includes the energy supply, sensor technology and vehicle intelligence. The integration of all components into the platform means that it is capable of driving on its own. This offers the advantage that the different hut structures can be designed more variably and highly cost-effectively.

Key design parameters for the driving platform are the compact external dimensions of less than 90 x 60 cm, which, in combination with the independent wheel drive, enables high manoeuvrability in narrow spaces, as well as good obstacle clearance, which allows for use in non-barrier-free environments due to large slope angles. This enables safe climbing over kerbs and driving on uneven and unpaved tracks, such as cobblestones or paths in parks.

The parcel station developed by the Institute for Automotive Engineering is used for the transport of courier, express and parcel shipments on the last mile and in inner-city direct shipments. Depending on the application, the parcel station can be loaded in inner-city micro-depots or at a transfer point from a delivery van or, as a supplement to bicycle couriers, transport courier and express shipments from A to B in the city. This also makes same day deliveries for local retailers possible and offers an alternative to online shopping.

Despite its small footprint of less than 90 x 60 cm, the parcel station can transport ten parcels the size of a file folder. In order to flexibly transport larger parcels as well, several compartments on top of each other can be combined.

In addition to delivering parcels and packages to the front door – at the time of day or night requested by the customer – the UrbANT Parcel Station can also be used to post returns. The parcels are handed in and out via the vehicle's HMI or the newly designed smartphone app.

DITF develop various strategies for the production of individual components of the flexible superstructure. To meet the lightweight requirements for increasing the vehicle's payload, a telescopic body using composite sandwich construction is developed. The stability of the superstructure is ensured by using relatively stiff GFRP floor module manufactured using vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. The floor module integrates the data processing and control electronics modules that are required for the user communication.

In addition, an innovative manufacturing concept based on the tape-laying process, in collaboration with the Institute for Textile and Fiber Technologies (ITFT) - University of Stuttgart, is developed for manufacturing carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic flexible roll-up door. The door ensures the ergonomic loading and unloading of the baggage into the UrbANT. The cover module, which is also manufactured using VARI process, integrates the cameras that assist autonomous driving and the user interaction components such as display, microphone and loudspeakers.

A unique scissor table mechanism integrated within the superstructure enables its infinitely variable height adjustment through which the useable volume of the UrbANT can be varied to suit the size of the payload.

Due to its expertise in the field of passive cooling and food transport, easy2cool GmbH is responsible for the concept and design of the shopping hut structure. The aim is to transport a common purchase of goods from the place of purchase or storage to the end user's home within a time window of 4 to 6 hours in a food-friendly manner. Two separate compartments can be used to separate heavy beverage crates from fresh and frozen food.

Insulation systems for refrigerated shipping were usually made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and plastic. Due to the high energy requirements during production and the enormously problematic disposal, this creates an immense burden on the climate, water and soil. The solution: a new, sustainable insulation material, which was developed together with the TU Dresden (Institute for Natural Materials Technology) as part of a ZIM R&D cooperation project. This sustainable insulation material made of cellulose is defibrated, then shaped into mats and integrated into the structure. Various test scenarios are simulated in climate chambers to develop the most effective and efficient cooling solution. The development takes into account external parameters such as the specified size of the UrbANT vehicle and the other components to be accommodated, such as man-machine interfaces.

With the presentation of the exterior design, UrbANT gets its face for the first time. Together with the project partners, the transportation designers at ika have developed the design of the platform as well as the shopping-, folding- and parcel station huts since summer 2019, which is continuously growing via mould construction to the finished vehicle. The design process started with a blank sheet of paper. In the concept phase, sketches were made in order to visualize different ideas and find balanced proportions.

In coordination with the engineering process, a more detailed design language was developed based on the given basic dimensions of the vehicle. The first digital 2D renderings were made to get a realistic impression of the micromobility devices and to develop a design language. The level of detail increased in coordination with the project partners for all three hut structures under consideration of HMI, package, structre and sensor technology.

The design freeze in autumn 2020 defined the further styling process and the detaileed exterior surface design started. During this phase, the entire optical outer skin of the UrbANT was created. The designed exterior surfaces are currently being incorporated into the overall data CAD model. In parallel, a first 1:1 prototype is created for assessing optical surfaces and selected exterior colors. Through several iteration loops, the exterior design will be developed to its final shape over the next few months and soon be visible on the UrbANT prototypes.

Within the project, the development and integration of a following function as well as the autonomous navigation of the micromobility device in urban environments will be carried out. By means of the following function to be developed, the micromobility device will be able to follow a user autonomously (e.g., carrying groceries home) while actively avoiding surrounding traffic. With the autonomous navigation function, the micromobility device will be able to cover distances automatically without a user. The sensor technology used will enable the micromobility device to fully detect its surroundings and thus to perceive obstacles such as people and avoid them.

The user-following function comprises subcomponents consisting of a detection function for user recognition, a tracking function for tracking and unambiguously recognizing the user in passenger traffic, and integration into the motion path planning with collision avoidance.

Within the automation functions there is the implementation of functions for environment mapping and localization including heterogeneous sensor data. Furthermore, semantic segmentation methods are used to classify areas that can be traversed, among other classifications (like signal lights). The route and motion path planning of the robot is performed within a global route finding (e.g. Open-Street Map (OSM) data is integrated here) and local trajectory planning, which also integrates collision avoidance. A state machine combines these components to execute driving and delivery tasks.

The sensor systems integrated into the driving platform include mono cameras, stereo vision systems, inertial measurement units (IMUs), 3D lidar sensors and ultrasonic sensors.