LoopX, a Waterloo Engineering startup company, founded by a mechatronics engineering doctoral candidate, Chao Yu, has recently received a $30K funding boost when it took top prize in the 5G Transportation Challenge. It is also the recipient of funding from the Engineer of the Future Fund at Waterloo Engineering. Within the next three months, LoopsX plans to demonstrate its 5G MEC-based hybrid driving system in the David Johnson Research + Technology Park.
Using advanced chassis control techniques, cutting-edge autonomous driving algorithms and datasets gathered in harsh Canadian winters, LoopX developed a unique delivery robot - it is a bright red, 1.2 m X .8 m X 1.2 m delivery vehicle that is equipped with multiple safety measures.
The autonomous driving features include two LiDARs, eight ultrasonic sensors, and eight monocular cameras, as well as a GNSS module that delivers 360-degree perception and centimetre-level positioning.
If all goes as planned, the service will be piloted in August with customers ordering food from a partner restaurant close to campus for delivery to the front of the Davis Centre - the robot would be able to arrive at the destination with food within 30 minutes.
The story of LoopX and this delivery robot has been included in Waterloo News.