The development of Nano-hubs enables the establishment of relay points in public spaces.

These autonomous, connected pickup points offer a scalable solution that meets the evolving needs of urban logistics.

This innovation was conceived, designed, and implemented by OVO.

Project Summary

In 2022, three autonomous nano-hubs were installed in urban areas as part of a pilot project. Their goal was to optimize just-in-time freight management by facilitating the transfer of cargo from trucks to cargo bikes. This trial took place throughout 2023 in collaboration with several regional public and private partners. The project was primarily aimed at distribution companies, wholesalers, and carriers.

Outlook

The establishment of nano-hubs was intended to encourage the emergence of new models for urban services. It has thus paved the way for future synergies in the field of reverse logistics, supporting the circular economy and recycling.

The project’s success led to the solution being made permanent in the city of Carouge and to the development of a regulatory framework for its future deployment. Several political parties have expressed interest in this approach and its expansion to municipalities in the canton of Geneva. Furthermore, following a consultation with transportation stakeholders, the cantonal action plan for freight has incorporated the concept of urban transshipment zones as a strategic priority.

As part of this initiative, new international projects have emerged with the deployment of multi-stakeholder micro-logistics zones, consisting of several nano-hubs installed side by side. To optimize their management and make them accessible to various stakeholders, an access management interface and a dedicated app have been developed. Check out our other projects to learn more!

How does it work?

Nano-hubs eliminate the need to repackage parcels and goods transported on pallets, thereby preventing trucks from entering city centers. Instead of having a truck spend the day driving around town in traffic to deliver to end recipients, it now makes just one round of stops at nano-hub depots during off-peak hours. The “last mile” delivery of the package or goods is then handled by cargo bike. Returns and reverse logistics are organized in the same way.