Mercedes-Benz Vision Van…  a glimpse into the future of the delivery van, with drones

adVANce

Mercedes-Benz Vans, being the globally successful van manufacturers they are, has unveiled its strategic future initiative dubbed “adVANce”, for the future transport industry.  This sees the division systematically taking up its customers' changing requirements.

The transformation of the industry is the result of various economic and social trends, among them urbanisation, the growth in e-commerce, the intelligent networking of a wide range of technologies in the Internet of Things (IoT) and the proliferation of platform-based business models.

Mercedes-Benz Vans is systematically making use of present-day and future technological opportunities presented by digitalisation, automation and robotics.  The business division is developing from a mere commercial vehicle manufacturer into a provider of system solutions, and will thus offer integrated and intelligent systems in addition to its basic vehicles in the future. These solutions can make the transportation of goods and passengers even more efficient and open up new business opportunities and economic benefits for costumers.

In the first 6 months of this year, Mercedes-Benz Vans brought in their best sales results yet.  This provides them with an excellent foundation to position their vans division systematically for the future.

One aim is to provide transport solutions for the digital age and evolve the van into an intelligent, interconnected data centre on wheels.  In order to do this, MB Vans are investing around half a billion euros over the next 5 years, and created a separate organisational unit.  So far, this approach is unique within the van sector.

Identifying the customer requirements of tomorrow

With the adVANce initiative, Mercedes-Benz Vans is systematically adapting to new, rapidly changing customer requirements.  Examples include the burgeoning business in food and everyday necessities ordered online.  Here, demand for same-day delivery or delivery within an hour is increasing rapidly.  

At the same time, more and more people are living in cities – it is predicted that by 2030 urban areas will be home to more than two thirds of the world's population.  It is clear that the rising transportation requirements will need to be met even faster and more efficiently in future, and in an environmentally-friendly way.

All-electric "Vision Van" study for innovative delivery

Mercedes-Benz Vans is presenting a fascinating, integrated solution for new customer requirements with the "Vision Van" study, presented in Stuttgart and evolved as part of the adVANce initiative.

This all-electric vehicle combines various innovative solutions for last-mile delivery in urban and suburban environments.  It is the first van worldwide to fully digitally connect all people and processes involved, from the distribution centre to the consignee.

It is the first van ever to feature a fully automated cargo space, with integrated delivery drones.  For example, if a parcel service provider stops his vehicle in a residential area, it will be possible to deliver multiple packages to nearby consignees autonomously by air by drone, even if they are not at home, in addition to manual human delivery.

This makes the deliverer’s job easier, reduces the delivery time and offers end customers new opportunities such as same-day delivery at an agreed time.  The vehicle is equipped with a 75 kW electric drive and, depending on the intended application, has a range of 80 km to approximately 270 km.  With the Vision Van, deliveries are emission-free and near silent.

"With the Vision Van from Mercedes-Benz Vans we provide an idea of future generations of vans: the intelligent automation technology connects the entire process, from loading and transportation by road through to delivery to the consignee.  This makes it easier for the deliverer to do business and rapidly reduces the delivery time for end customers.”