Swobbee Delivers Battery Exchange Stations for Magdeburg Package Rockets

In May, the pilot operation of an innovative city logistics project was launched in Magdeburg: a micro-depot for package handling was put into operation in Stadtfeld Ost, which has not existed in this form in Europe before. Using a special hub-and-spoke concept, e-cargo bikes called package rockets, and battery exchange stations from Swobbee, the aim is not only to increase the efficiency of deliveries but also to enhance acceptance among recipients, businesses, and municipalities.

(Berlin/Magdeburg) As part of the project “Paket-KV-MD2,” funded by the EU (EFRE) and the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the Magdeburg media group, supported by FIApro UG and scientifically accompanied by the Chair of Logistics at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, has developed a new concept for package delivery on the “last mile,” which is now being tested in practice with the micro-depot in Stadtfeld Ost. The special feature: it is a sustainable, bundled, and flexible package delivery system based on a micro-depot, stationary and mobile package stations, four package rockets from ONO, and Swobbee battery charging and exchange stations. At the micro-depot, shipments delivered by various KEP service providers are pre-sorted by the media group and then bundled for delivery by the package rockets to the package stations or recipients. Customers thus receive only a bundled delivery instead of waiting for several individual deliveries from different KEP service providers.

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Zadek, head of the Chair of Logistics at Otto von Guericke University, is convinced that the pilot project will influence future package delivery on the last mile: “Otto von Guericke University and the team at the Institute for Logistics and Material Flow Technology are proud to have designed a delivery system that is unique in Europe as a consortium partner and to be able to accompany its realization. Compared to delivery with diesel transporters, there are significant CO2 reductions, and for the first time, the recipient will be able to decide not only on the type of delivery but also on the bundling of their shipments, regardless of their origin – a paradigm shift.”

Tobias Breyer, Head of Marketing and co-founder of Swobbee, explains: “We are very pleased to contribute to making this innovative delivery approach in inner-city logistics even more efficient and sustainable with our smart Swobbee stations. With the quick battery exchange, the package rockets are always ready for use, which can significantly relieve traffic in city centers.”

Photo: © Swobbee