Authors: Matteo Mazzucchelli & Federico Moro / e-NOVIA
The Ispra Living Lab at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, managed by e-Novia, is demonstrating promising results for greener logistics through an innovative hybrid delivery system. By cleverly combining Measy cargo bikes with YAPE droids, the system optimises meal deliveries and offers a compelling example of how to reduce environmental impact in urban areas.
How the system works
The process begins with customers placing their lunch orders through a dedicated platform, specifying their preferred delivery times. The canteen prepares and packages the meals, which are then transported by cargo bike to an intermediate “Hub point.” From there, YAPE droids take over the “last mile” delivery to offices, with their routes optimised based on proximity, route efficiency, battery levels, and user preferences. The initial part of the delivery from the Canteen to the Hub is exclusively handled by cargo bikes, while the final leg from the Hub to the offices can be managed by both YAPE droids and cargo bikes.
First demo round success and platform innovation
The first demonstration round, conducted in two phases in November 2024 and February 2025, successfully delivered 45 orders to four different buildings. This test phase leveraged a suite of platforms: the JRC’s Canteen orders platform, the proprietary YAPE platform, and two new systems developed within GREEN-LOG – BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) and Data Space. The BYOD system is an application enabling users to manage parcel-related tasks. Complementing this, the DataSpace provides essential infrastructure for historic data, acts as a context broker, and supports IoT Backend for device management.
Looking ahead: second demo round and future plans
A second demo round is scheduled for October 2025, with plans to expand the service to five, and potentially more, buildings. This upcoming phase will see the integration of new platform functionalities, notably the Augmented Intelligence Modelling Platform (AIMP). This sophisticated platform is designed to empower logistics service providers and city stakeholders by offering tools for planning and simulating efficient delivery operations through advanced demand forecasting, route optimisation, and scenario-based simulation. Future expansion aims to reach more employees through the YAPE droids, with ongoing coordination with the YAPE team to map new delivery areas.
User experience and environmental impact
To gauge the effectiveness and acceptance of the service, an anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all users. This feedback is vital for understanding user perception and directly contributes to the development of the project’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Early results from the societal KPIs are highly encouraging, with over 70% of users finding the delivery speed faster than traditional methods and nearly two-thirds expressing positive views of the GREEN-LOG solutions, demonstrating strong user acceptance and satisfaction.
In this experimentation phase, the YAPE droids demonstrated their capabilities by travelling over 10 km, gaining valuable real-world experience in providing last-mile delivery services to Ispra employees.
Another step towards sustainable last-mile deliveries
The GREEN-LOG project in Ispra is clearly demonstrating that integrating innovative technologies like cargo bikes and autonomous droids, supported by intelligent platforms, can significantly enhance urban delivery efficiency while promoting environmental sustainability. The positive user feedback and continuous development of the AIMP underscore the project’s potential to redefine last-mile logistics, paving the way for greener, more efficient, and user-centric urban environments across Europe.