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The multi-vehicle truck-and-robot routing problem for last-mile delivery

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  • Ostermeier, Manuel
  • Heimfarth, Andreas
  • Hübner, Alexander

Abstract

Last-mile delivery with autonomous robots launched from dedicated delivery trucks is a promising approach to reducing logistics costs and inner-city traffic. Current literature for this innovative concept bases upon the use of a single truck to pick up multiple robots from robot depots and release them for delivery. This limits the practical use for industry applications in bigger cities. The demand for home deliveries is steadily increasing, and with that, the requirements for potential delivery by robots. The truck-and-robot concept therefore needs to be refined to meet these requirements by a fleet of delivery trucks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ostermeier, Manuel & Heimfarth, Andreas & Hübner, Alexander, 2023. "The multi-vehicle truck-and-robot routing problem for last-mile delivery," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 310(2), pages 680-697.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:310:y:2023:i:2:p:680-697
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2023.03.031
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