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Driver-Less Mail Trucks

The Volkswagen eT! is Designed to Streamline the Postal Service

— November 22, 2011 — Autos
Mail carriers across the world are going to flip when they see the Volkswagen eT! The Volkswagen eT! is a conceptual delivery vehicle designed to be semi-autonomous. The eT! was conceptualized by a VW research group that was attempting to envision what the delivery vehicle of the second half of the 21st century would look like.

The Volkswagen eT! is designed to follow specific voice commands such as "follow me" and "come here." This feature should be especially attractive to mail carriers as it would streamline the door-to-door delivery process. Another interesting feature of the eT! is its drive stick. The delivery van can be steered by a small joystick located on the passenger side of the vehicle. While the Volkswagen eT! certainly seems a little too advanced for today's technology, the day may not be far off when all mail carriers are issuing their truck's voice commands. The 21st century will be the year of the autonomous auto; you heard it here first.
Trend Themes
1. Semi-autonomous Delivery Vehicles - The concept of semi-autonomous delivery vehicles like the Volkswagen eT! presents disruptive innovation opportunities for streamlining the door-to-door delivery process.
2. Voice Command Technology in Delivery Vehicles - The integration of voice command technology into delivery vehicles, as demonstrated by the Volkswagen eT!, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for hands-free operation and improved efficiency.
3. Joystick Steering in Delivery Vans - The implementation of joystick steering, as seen in the Volkswagen eT!, creates disruptive innovation opportunities for enhanced maneuverability and easier navigation in tight spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Postal and Delivery Services - The concept of semi-autonomous delivery vehicles like the Volkswagen eT! presents disruptive innovation opportunities for improving efficiency and optimizing the door-to-door delivery process in the postal and delivery services industry.
2. Automotive Manufacturing - The integration of voice command technology and joystick steering in vehicles, as demonstrated by the Volkswagen eT!, presents disruptive innovation opportunities for automakers to develop and produce advanced delivery vehicles with enhanced features.
3. Autonomous Vehicles - The emergence of semi-autonomous delivery vehicles like the Volkswagen eT! highlights disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of autonomous vehicles, showcasing the potential for hands-free operation and improved efficiency in various transportation sectors.
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