In order to introduce autonomous delivery vehicles to Europe, Ziegler Group is partnering with several key organisations and agencies.
Each partnership will contribute to the overall goal of building the technology, regulatory, and safety frameworks that will allow autonomous delivery vehicles to operate safely on the roads.
Ziegler Group is proud to enter into this ambitious project together with our fellow visionaries:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is one of the top universities in Europe for research into autonomous vehicles.
Their Mobility, Logistics and Automotive Technology Research Center (MOBI) is a leader in electro-mobility, sustainable mobility and logistics research. With a multidisciplinary team of over 100 specialists, MOBI gathers expertise in engineering, economic, social, political and environmental sciences. It develops electric, hybrid, and autonomous vehicles technologies, and evaluates new concepts in mobility and logistics on their sustainability.
Ziegler Group can count on the knowledge and expertise of MOBI as we prepare the autonomous Transporter vehicles for operation, as well as pass our own data and findings back to the MOBI research centre. They will play a vital role in the testing of our autonomous logistics vehicle. We are very happy to partner with a local university that is at the forefront of research regarding this new technology.
Innoviris
Innoviris is a public organisation that funds and supports research and innovation in Brussels in order to address societal challenges around mobility, health, climate and social cohesion.
The new Regional Innovation Plan 2021-2027 stimulates ambitious actors to develop creative projects in 6 strategic innovation domains aiming to have a positive impact on the economical, social and ecological transition of the region.
They support various initiatives that work to improve the well-being and prosperity of every citizen in Brussels.
Brussels Chamber of Commerce
Thanks to the visionaries at the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BECI), Ziegler Group was able to launch the Cargo Bike project.
Ziegler Group has been active in Brussels since 1908 and always had a special affinity with the city. The goal of this autonomous delivery project is to lessen all the external costs that are inherent to last-mile logistics and transport. We will continue to work with BECI in this new project, and find ways to benefit the city of Brussels and help BECI to address issues that the city faces that might be improved with the use of autonomous delivery vehicles.
Brussels Mobility
Together with Brussels Mobility, Ziegler Group is looking forward to working out steps and solutions that are needed before autonomous delivery vehicles can hit the road. We are determined to work together with the government, administration and local law enforcement and believe that it is our duty as a logistics and transport provider to make sure that all our activities are safe and legal.
VIAS (Traffic safety research institute)
VIAS is a research organisation focused on improving road and mobility safety. Their team is 120 strong, ranging from academic researchers and engineers, psychologists and field specialists, to legal advisers and consultants.
This diversity of knowledge makes them a specialised and much-appreciated partner for Ziegler Group as we address the safety of autonomous vehicles. They will also be crucial during testing as they will help us use the vehicle with the highest safety for users and other road users taking into consideration the infrastructure on which the vehicle operates. They have been a part of every major project regarding autonomous vehicles and their testing in Belgium and will also support Ziegler on legal, modal approval and user acceptance issues.
Udelv (Delivery Vehicle provider)
Udelv is the supplier of the autonomous Transporter EV that can handle last- and middle-mile multi-stop deliveries. Ziegler Group has ordered a number of Transporters to pilot, and the partnership with Udelv will be very close as these vehicles are developed and tested for use in various European countries.
MobileEye (Technology provider)
MobileEye is an Intel company that develops the autonomous driving technology and software used in the Udelv Transporters, in addition to their other many projects and achievements in improving road safety through their innovative technologies.
As one of the top providers of autonomous driving software and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), MobileEye-equipped vehicles have mapped more than one billion kilometres of roads globally, and their high standards for safety and best-in-class performance is one of the key features of the Udelv Transporter.
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, will be celebrated very soon.
In 2022, the first day of the Chinese New Year (the year of the Tiger) will fall on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last 16 days from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. In 2022, this will last from January 31 to February 15.
However, to ensure a continuous supply chain between Europe and China, the Ziegler offices in China and Hong Kong will be on-call to take over each other’s duties to keep the movement of goods flowing as smoothly as possible for our customers’ goods.
For more detailed information, please get in touch with your Ziegler representative.
Autonomous Vehicles are coming…
Just days after the world welcomed the year 2022, Ziegler Group announced they had ordered ten autonomous electric delivery vehicles from Udelv. And just like that, Ziegler, the EU-based logistics operator signalled their commitment to pioneering a technology that will forever alter the daily lives of future generations.
With more than a decade of research and testing behind them, some of the world’s largest tech and automotive companies have poured billions of dollars into the development of hardware and software needed for autonomous vehicles (AVs) to become a reality.
EU governmental authorities, Germany, France and Belgium are at the forefront of legislation to allow AVs onto public roads, but there is still much to be done.
Ziegler’s order is part of the next stage of the process – further real-world development by the companies that will actually use the technology for their unique business requirements and local environments.
Why Autonomous Delivery Vehicles?
Public opinion regarding self-driving vehicles has been mixed since before the first test vehicles started driving on public roads. The range of sentiments is perfectly understandable. Even positive changes require adjustment to the status quo.
However, as the technology has matured, and researchers have been able to study the impact that self-driving vehicles will have on society, the reasons to pursue adoption continue to increase.
AVs represent more than just self-driving cars. They are part of a broader shift away from congestion, pollution, and shrinking urban space. They represent just one avenue to open up new possibilities for society, individuals and our environment.
This vision for the potential of AVs is reflected in Ziegler Group’s own dedication to pursuing technology and practices that are more efficient and eco-friendly.
“Similar to our current Cargo Bike project that is making deliveries in vehicle-restricted areas of Brussels,” explained Diane Govaerts, Ziegler Group CEO. “The Transporter – Udelv’s autonomous driving and electric, cab-less delivery vehicle – is another step in exploring new possibilities for less intrusive and more ecologically-friendly last-mile deliveries in crowded urban centres.”
Safer Roads
Researchers believe that the majority of vehicles sold after 2050 will be driverless. The implications of that change will affect society and especially urban environments in many positive ways.
In practice, autonomous delivery vehicles can slot in and complement existing supply chains for last-mile deliveries, and provide unique benefits, especially when used in congested European cities.
Driverless vehicles are already safer than when operated by a driver. According to studies, AVs could reduce road fatalities by 90%. [source]
Human drivers have blind spots and a limited point of view. They can get distracted and have varying emotional responses to take into account when on the road.
Compare that with a self-driving vehicle. Using redundant visual and sensor systems to monitor its surroundings in every direction every millisecond, an AV is always being improved due to the continual input of data from other AVs.
Low Impact Last-Mile Transport
The Transporters produced by Udelv are fully electric, contributing to a cleaner environment and less noise pollution. Their relatively compact size makes for less impact on roads, especially the narrow historic streets of Europe’s city centres.
“This is a major step towards a sustainable fleet of commercial vehicles for Ziegler Group,” said Diane Govaerts, Ziegler Group CEO.
Good for Companies and Workers
Right now there is a massive shortage of qualified drivers, so AVs can help cope with that issue. And the Transporters are intended only for last-mile deliveries.
Once put into the field, they still require a remote operator to monitor them at all times and intervene if necessary (for example during docking). Long haul transport will still be performed by Ziegler’s trained drivers.
The Transporter Technology
Udelv’s Transporters are the world’s first middle- and last-mile electric cabless autonomous delivery vehicles dedicated to multi-stop delivery. Featuring Level 4 autonomy, the Transporters use Mobileye technology – an Intel company that specializes in autonomous vehicles.
The vehicle senses and interprets its environment using a camera-centric configuration. Using a robust system that can drive solely based on cameras allows us to pinpoint the critical safety segments for which redundancy from radar and Lidar is required.
Making Deliveries
As far as making deliveries seamless and secure, adjustable compartments in the vehicle hold goods destined for different customers.
Between trips, the compartments can conform to whatever sizes are needed for the cargo being carried.
Regulatory Challenges and Testing Plan
However, even with all these capabilities, when the first Transporter arrives at Ziegler’s headquarters in Brussels, it will not be making deliveries on public roads right away.
This will be the beginning of a rigorous testing and development process that Ziegler Group will undertake with the oversight and input of government agencies and research groups that deal with transport topics and regulations. Some of these include the Vrije University of Brussels (VUB), Innoviris, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Transport, and the Traffic Safety Research Institute (VIAS).
Many steps will be required before a Transporter is allowed on a public road. But this commitment is what is required to pioneer technology that has the potential to deliver goods more efficiently while making our roads safer and our cities less congested.
What’s to Come
As Ziegler Group explores the possibilities and benefits of AVs for last-mile deliveries, you can follow the journey.
We will be sharing insights from our partners and experiences in upcoming articles and video conversations. So stay tuned. This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of distribution and transport.
BURLINGAME, Calif. and BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan. 5th, 2022
Udelv, a Silicon Valley autonomous delivery pioneer, announced today that Ziegler Group, a global transport and logistics service provider headquartered in Belgium, has placed an order for ten Udelv Transporters.
“This order signals Udelv’s continued ambition to export the Transporter and rapidly become a global provider of autonomous delivery services worldwide,” said Udelv CEO and Co-Founder Daniel Laury. “With a cab-less vehicle purpose-built for multi-stop last- and middle-mile delivery and Intel’s Mobileye partnership providing millions of kilometers of mapped roads in Europe and Asia, Udelv can deploy the Transporter beyond the borders of America. We are incredibly proud to be trusted by the Ziegler Group, a dynamic and eco-focused logistics company which has been operating for more than 100 years in Europe.”
Udelv is the world’s first company to produce middle- and last-mile electric cab-less autonomous delivery vehicles dedicated to multi-stop delivery. Featuring an entirely novel cargo robotics technology, Udelv’s Transporters are “driven by Intel’s Mobileye”. Since unveiling the Transporter concept earlier this year, Udelv has enjoyed a considerable amount of demand and the company has announced its plans to commercialize and deploy more than 50,000 Transporters between now and 2028, with commercial operations beginning in earnest in 2023.
Udelv’s customers expect Transporters to solve for two key challenges of commercial fleets: a massive shortage of drivers and electrification. Udelv’s Transporter dramatically improves the efficiency of last- and middle-mile delivery services for everything from electronics and auto parts to groceries and medical supplies.
“Ziegler Group has a very ambitious sustainability plan in place and has already announced several initiatives in that area,” said Diane Govaerts, Ziegler Group CEO. “Similar to our current project using human-powered Cargo Bikes to make deliveries in vehicle-restricted areas of Brussels, the Transporter – Udelv’s autonomous driving and electric, cab-less delivery vehicle – is another step in exploring new possibilities for less intrusive and more ecologically-friendly last-mile deliveries in crowded urban centers. This order is a major step towards building a sustainable fleet of commercial vehicles for Ziegler Group, will add great value to the bottom line of our customers, and align perfectly with our “Ziegler, now even greener” sustainability program. We are proud to partner with Udelv and to be the first major EU transportation company to deploy autonomous delivery vehicles on European roads.”
“Autonomous delivery is quickly becoming a worldwide reality as the answer to the skyrocketing growth in e-commerce,” added Laury. “With sweeping cost reductions over traditional driver-based services, public interest in contactless delivery, electrification of commercial fleets, shortage of drivers and a rapid growth in online deliveries, Udelv’s autonomous delivery vehicle will help Ziegler Group lead the way.”
About Udelv
On a mission to improve people’s lives, road safety and sustainable delivery, Udelv is revolutionizing the logistics space with its cab-less electric delivery vehicles for last- and middle-mile delivery on public roads. Founded in California in 2017 by Daniel Laury and CTO Akshat Patel, Udelv successfully accomplished the first-ever autonomous delivery on public roads in 2018. Udelv has since completed over 20,000 deliveries for multiple merchants in California, Arizona, and Texas and is developing its next generation vehicle, the Transporter, based on the lessons learned from its vast field experience. Udelv’s cargo robotics technology will be capable of high volume delivery that are eco, business and customer-friendly. For more information, visit www.udelv.com.
About Ziegler Group
Founded in 1908 with headquarters in Brussels, Ziegler Group is a leading global logistics service provider offering road freight, airfreight, sea freight, rail freight, inland waterway, logistics, customs clearance, e-commerce and other value-added services. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, Ziegler operates a close-knit global network with some 154 branches in more than 15 countries. In a further 80 countries, it cooperates closely with partner companies. For more information, visit www.zieglergroup.com.
Media Contacts:
UDELV: Colleen Robar, 313-207-5960, crobar@robarpr.com
ZIEGLER GROUP: Paulina Lewandowska, +48 572 765 47, paulina.lewandowska@zieglergroup.com
The team at Ziegler Group wishes you peace, joy, and prosperity throughout the coming year. We would like to express our sincerest appreciation for the trust you have placed in us and best wishes for the holidays.
This past year has brought more challenges, and we thank you for all the effort and commitment you’ve shown as we worked through them together. Thank you for giving us the chance to partner with you to do what we enjoy.
We wish you the very happiest and most peaceful of holidays and look forward to a new year full of wins and successes big and small. We look forward to what we can achieve together in the year to come.
Alain Ziegler
President of the Ziegler Group
Diane Govaerts
Chief Executive Officer of the Ziegler Group
The ninth of December 2021 is “The Day of the Truck Driver”, a day to celebrate truck drivers and their essential contributions to our daily lives.
Ziegler Group decided to support Febetra’s initiative to honour road drivers. So, on “The Day of the Truck Driver”, we’re rolling out our “green” carpet to each driver who comes to one of our Belgian branches and serving them breakfast with unlimited drinks!
Throughout the pandemic, truck drivers have been on the frontline more than ever. So it’s an excellent opportunity to put them in the spotlight today.
Without these men and women who put their heart and soul into their work, packages carrying so many essential goods would not be delivered.
Thank you so much to all of our truck drivers!
On Wednesday 20 October 2021, our Airfreight team received a “Special Request” from the organizer of a legendary electronic music festival. The Belgian pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai needed a full DJ set packed, customs cleared and delivered in only four days!
Ziegler’s specialists immediately consulted World Pack and Emirates Cargo, and then wasted no time fulfilling this “Special Request”. Thanks to the enthusiastic involvement and teamwork of Ziegler’s employees, the mission was a success, and the butterfly-themed DJ set was transported from Belgium to Dubai on time and without issue!
The DJ set is a perfect example of a Belgian-specific export product. The set arrived in time to welcome the best DJs whose mixes will be entertaining the parties at the Belgian pavilion until the end of Expo 2020 in Dubai in March 2022.
Ziegler Group has been in business since 1908 and is still growing, that is why we are looking to onboard and welcome new colleagues.
So last week we organized our first Job Day at Ziegler Zaventem in Belgium.
It was a great opportunity to meet many people who are interested in working for Ziegler. And for candidates, it was an opportunity to get to know the company better and talk to our managers in person.
We had a great time meeting our future colleagues and we are looking forward to organize another Job Day soon.
If you were unable to come, don’t hesitate to contact us at hrbelgium@zieglergroup.com
Did you know that the Ziegler Group participated in the Ekiden Marathon together with a loyal client – a well-known aid organization?
After a one-year break, this major Brussels event was held again on October 16, 2021, a marathon relay that took place inside and around the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels.
Taking inspiration from similar Ekiden relay races held in Japan, each year almost one thousand teams usually participate in the Brussels relay event. Teams consist of six participants. The first, third and fifth runners each complete 5 km, the second and fourth runners each run 10 km, and the last runner covers the remaining 7.195 km. In total, the team runs a distance of 42.195 km – the length of a traditional marathon. This relay marathon is unique and exciting for everyone involved.
The emphasis on team spirit motivated Ziegler Zaventem to participate as part of a team building activity and this marathon was a unique opportunity to work together to reach this great achievement.
Among the 600 teams that participated, Ziegler outperformed expectations by surpassing 400 teams!
Congratulations to the entire team, well done!
FORWARD Belgium, the Belgian Freight Forwarding Association, a professional association that represents the interests of the Belgian shipping industry (formerly VEA) presented its first awards for sustainability achievements on November 16, 2021.
The association had launched an awards programme called “FORWARD Goals for Sustainable Development” to encourage its members to invest in green and sustainable solutions and to contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
FORWARD members who are awarded the FORWARD GOALS distinction are able to demonstrate to their clients that they place a high priority on sustainable entrepreneurship and using the latest best practices for lowering the environmental impact of transport.
Symbolising sustainability and ecology, the FORWARD Awards are made of wood.
Not only did Ziegler win the Gold “FORWARD Goals for Sustainable Development” label, but also received a second special “Sustainability Award” for our Cargo Bike and innovative city logistics solutions.
These two awards are undeniably a recognition of our initiatives to intentionally implement green logistics practices and become a model of good environmental methods in our sector. And we look forward to doing more!
Ziegler. Now Even Greener.