Stellantis BOW concept shows future of autonomous deliveries

Stellantis has unveiled what it believes to be an ideal vehicle for future inner-city deliveries.

Called ‘BOW’ – short for ‘Box on Wheels’ – it’s an autonomous electric van which has been made in collaboration with Chinese robotics firm UQI.

Unveiled at the IAA Transportation Hannover commercial vehicle show, the BOW has a completely square shape created to help it provide the best-possible load area for parcels and boxes. At the rear, a roller door should also provide easy access to the van’s interior.

Introduced alongside other Stellantis group concepts, the BOW isn’t just a static model but has also been put to work around the IAA Transportation show’s grounds to demonstrate how it works.

Stellantis says that the BOW ‘opens new possibilities for goods distribution, city logistics and operations within controlled environments such as factories, hospitals and airports.’

Fiat has also unveiled its TRIS, which is an electric three-wheeled vehicle designed to provide a last-mile mobility solution for people in urban areas.

While the TRIS was first revealed in January, this new version debuts working doors, based on customer feedback. Thanks to this change, the TRIS now offers better weather protection and improved cargo security. Powered by a small 6.9kWh battery, the TRIS can return up to 56 miles of range and offers a 500kg payload, as well as space for two Euro pallets. It also has a tiny turning circle of 3.05m, around half that of a Ford Fiesta.