Abstract
Autonomously driving delivery robots are developed all around the world, and the first prototypes are tested already in last-mile deliveries of packages. Estonia plays a leading role in this field with its, start-up Starship Technologies, which operates not only in Estonia but also in foreign countries like Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America (USA), where it seems to provide a promising solution of the last-mile problem. But the more and more frequent appearance of delivery robots in public traffic reveals shortcomings in the regulatory framework of the usage of these autonomous vehicles—despite the maturity of the underlying technology. The related regulatory questions are reaching from data protection over liability for torts performance to such mundane fields as traffic law, which a logistic service provider has to take into account. This paper analyses and further develops the regulatory framework of autonomous delivery robots for packages by highlighting legal implications. Since delivery robots can be understood as cyber-physical systems in the context of Industry 4.0, the research contributes to the related regulatory framework of Industry 4.0 in international terms. Finally, the paper discusses future perspectives and proposes specific modes of compliance.
Highlights
Within the last years, many initiatives towards smart manufacturing have been initiated in order to re-establish and regain a significant industrial share in the economy [1,2]
Other important features of Industry 4.0 publications are related to internet-based linked machine-to-machine-communication and interaction as well as the ability to get integrated into cross-company processes safeguarding the capability to operate in a networked manufacturing and logistics environment [3,4,5]
Excessive enthusiasm falsifies the perception of delivery robots when it comes to implementation of these technologies into existing legal frameworks
Summary
Many initiatives towards smart manufacturing have been initiated in order to re-establish and regain a significant industrial share in the economy [1,2]. A promising concept is the fusion of the virtual and the real worlds of manufacturing to realize concepts for smart manufacturing and logistics by using cyber-physical systems (CPS) and dynamic production networks in order to achieve flexible and open value chains in the manufacturing of complex mass customization products. Communication and interaction pave the way to cross-company production and logistics processes enabling the design and control of the entire supply chain of a product during its full life time, i.e., from product design to logistics, distribution, and post-production services [4,5]. Industry 4.0 leads to new supply chain paradigms on complex and intertwined manufacturing networks with a high degree of fragmentation and low entry barriers for small and medium enterprises (SME) as well as new R&D strategies, cross-national value chains, and new business models [2,6,7,8].
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