In recent years, there's been a lot of new and creative ideas worldwide, especially in how you receive things at your doorstep. But even with all these changes, delivering things in the last part of the journey, called the last mile, is still tricky and always evolving in the supply chain. Two students, Atmaj Varma and Asuman Mallik, studying at the Strate School of Design in Bangalore, India worked on a project with Tata Motors, under the guidance of Ajay Jain - Design Head of Tata Motors Indian studio. The Tata YU project revolves around exploring and solving different opportunities in the business of commercial vehicles.
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Thorough investigations were carried out to identify the difficulties faced in the process of a package travelling from a storage facility to someone's doorstep. Surprisingly, the research uncovered a similarity between the movement of goods and people, often encountering similar busy areas within a city. Building upon this finding, the idea of making use of already existing transportation systems, like the metro, to make delivering goods easier, was developed. Picture a situation where the metro, created for moving people, smoothly transforms into a carrier for goods as well. This inventive approach gave rise to the creation of the Tata Yu.
Tata Yu is the bridge in the new ecosystem
The Tata Yu plays a strategic role that complements the metro in this innovative system. While the metro remains dedicated to its main function of transporting people, the Tata Yu takes on the responsibility of delivering goods from the metro. Interestingly, it can also transport people along a set route. Imagine the Tata Yu as a key part that smoothly fits into this developing system, opening up new possibilities for delivering goods and filling transportation gaps for people. It's like a piece of the puzzle that enhances the overall efficiency of the system.
The key to this creative solution lies in how the Tata Yu is designed. Carefully planned to handle both goods and people, the vehicle has a distinct layout. The front part is specifically designed for carrying goods, providing ample space for packages. Meanwhile, the rear of the vehicle is designed to comfortably seat up to two passengers. The design choices made for the Tata Yu prioritize simplicity, a friendly appearance, and user-friendliness. This means that not only is it practical for transporting goods, but it also aims to be visually appealing and easy for people to use.
Tata Yu simplifies the delivery process
As the Tata Yu begins its journey, it follows predetermined routes where gig delivery individuals pick up packages. These gig workers, armed with a dedicated app, efficiently locate the vehicle, which, in turn, organizes the packages for the most effective delivery. This not only simplifies the delivery process but also generates job opportunities within the local community.
At the same time, the Tata Yu addresses the transportation needs of people. It adheres to routes established by drop-off points for goods, making the vehicle a convenient choice for short-distance travel. With an app that allows users to track the vehicle's upcoming stops, the Tata Yu revolutionizes the way people move around the city. The focus is on minimizing travel time, and the interiors are designed with simplicity in mind. This integration of goods and people transport through a well-organized system enhances both the efficiency of deliveries and the ease of short-distance commuting.
Conclusion
the Tata Yu, named after the Sanskrit prefix signifying connection, emerges as a visionary concept. It seamlessly bridges the worlds of goods and people, capitalizing on existing transportation systems like the metro. Incorporating emerging delivery models, such as gig delivery, and an intermodal-compatible design, addresses the challenges of transporting goods from warehouse to doorstep. The result is a unique package that breathes life into a new ecosystem amid a bustling, dynamic, fast-paced city life.
About Designer
Atmaj Varma and Ansuman Mallik, both Indian designers, have completed their Master's Degrees in Transportation Design from the Strate School of Design. They collaborated on an industrial project with Tata Motors, guided by Ajay Jain, the Design Head of Tata Motors Indian studio. Currently, they are in the final stages of their internship at Tata Motors Indian Studio following their graduation.
