What is Renault Trucks Deliver-Assist

Renault has built up a strong line-up of vehicles designed for urban logistics over recent years and is seen by many as a pioneer when it comes to decarbonisation. With everything from e-cargo bikes to electric trucks, the French manufacturer covers a lot of bases for fleets and transport companies who are tasked with delivering goods and products in and around towns and cities.

Helping drivers do their jobs to the best of their ability, Renault, like every other OEM, offers safety devices that provide better visibility of the surrounding area and advanced technologies that bring greater efficiencies to the whole operation. However, there is more to come to assist the HGV heroes. The latest innovation? Deliver-Assist – an onboard carousel system that brings even more benefits and efficiency. 

The first operator to use the system is supermarket supplier Jacky Perrenot, but many more are set to follow.

HOW CAN WE ASSIST YOU?

The Renault Trucks setup for Deliver-Assist brings one of its all-electric 26-tonne E-Tech D Wide models together with an automated carousel. This carousel has been designed in collaboration with Actemium Handling Systems (part of Vinci Energies) – a company that calls itself an expert in automated conveyor systems. So it really should know what it’s doing! This system enables drivers to optimise loading and unloading through the use of mobile containers. Available in three different configurations – secure, isothermal and wire-mesh roll cages – these containers are managed automatically and securely, which “guarantees precise traceability of the goods throughout the rounds”, says Renault Trucks. The load ordering is taken care of by a computer system that has been developed by ERECA.

The automation element of Deliver-Assist takes care of individual load positions during deliveries, automatically reorganising containers during the round, according to the most efficient route and delivery order.

WHO IS USING DELIVER-ASSIST?

Jacky Perrenot Group is described as “a pioneer in adopting sustainable and innovative transport solutions” and a company that has been committed to the energy transition cause since 2012.

Deliver-Assist will optimise urban deliveries to its Intermarché outlets, enabling it to run a more responsible and efficient logistics operation.

HOW WILL IT HELP?

There are three main advantages to Deliver-Assist: improved safety; reduced loading and unloading times; and environmental impact. Firstly, pallets don’t need to be wrapped – which saves potential injuries – and there is no need for drivers to climb on and off the tail-lift or use a forklift as the containers are moved from the truck to road level automatically.

Secondly, tests have shown that, by using Deliver-Assist, the time required for loading, unloading and preparation can be cut by up to 30% compared with the conventional method. That time saving is translated into improved productivity and more potential business, as well as less of the congestion that blocking roads would have potentially caused previously.

Finally, environmental factors come into play with the use of the emissionand noise-free E-Tech truck. Deliveries can be made more easily and without causing upset to surrounding residents or businesses. The elimination of single-use plastic film for wrapping is another potential plus point.

WHAT RENAULT SAYS

“The idea came to me one day as I was walking down the street. I looked through the window of a dry cleaner’s and saw the clothes moving automatically on a conveyer system. I wondered if we could adapt this system for pallets in a truck. The pallets could move around the truck automatically and be loaded and unloaded using an automated system, without having the driving to go up and down the tailgate,” says Fabrice Courtens, urban logistics project director at Renault Trucks.

“We’re developing solutions in our R&D laboratory to improve urban deliveries,” adds Lucie Dumeny, decarbonisation project leader at Renault Trucks. “There’s a lot at stake because currently city deliveries account for 20% of traffic and 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. We’ve already designed innovations such as the delivery box, which is used for safe deliveries in cities – even at night – and of course our e-cargo bike. But there’s still the unloading stage, which poses safety problems for drivers and blocks traffic. This is really where we want to improve.”

WHAT THE DRIVER SAYS

“Loading couldn’t be simpler,” says Cédric Laventure, a driver at Jacky Perrenot. “We just push the roll cages into the lift and press a button. Then the system automatically takes over and the cages are loaded into the truck. Delivery is just as easy. You just confirm the delivery location on the app, press a button, and the roll cages are lowered automatically. There’s no need to climb on the tailgate – it’s safer, less tiring and quicker.”

 - This article was previously published in Commercial Motor, to subscribe see the latest Commercial Motor subscription offer