The company "Yandex" will begin testing delivery robots in Novy Urengoy during the winter to improve their snow проходимость. This is not the company's first experience in testing robots: previously, in Krasnaya Polyana, order delivery to hotels was tested. However, in Novy Urengoy, robots will not carry out deliveries, but testing will focus on improving their winter characteristics.
The choice of the city for testing was based on weather conditions, such as the number of snowy days and snow depth, collected by the "Yandex Weather" service. The main goal of the tests is to reduce the number of getting stuck in the snow by at least half and reduce the need for operator assistance.
The company will test both software improvements, for example, algorithms for determining wheel slippage, and new tire options. The tests will last throughout the winter season, and decisions on the further use of the data obtained will be made after its completion.
Currently, robots are used to deliver food and goods from various stores and restaurants, including more than 500 outlets. "Yandex" has already introduced its robots in some areas of Moscow, Murino, Innopolis, and even in a residential complex in Kazan. Testing at the Krasnaya Polyana resort began in June 2023 and will last until the summer of 2024.
According to a company representative, delivery time increases by an average of 5–7 minutes in winter. The CEO of the Gagawa network noted that the permissible deviation in delivery time for restaurants is 10 minutes from the standard time of 30 minutes.
Currently, there are no clear traffic rules in Russia regulating the movement of drones and delivery robots, so "Yandex" will consider the economic feasibility of launching robot delivery in different cities.
The opinions of citizens about the prospects of robotization in Novy Urengoy are divided. Some users on social networks express doubts about the ability of robots to function in difficult winter conditions, while others welcome the introduction of new technologies and note that "civilization is coming to Nur in small steps."
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