Magna Worldwide Inc. is constructing a fleet of cooler-size robots for Cartken, an autonomous supply expertise startup.

Though Cartken introduced the contract Wednesday, Magna began constructing the robots final month.

It made an preliminary order of fifty Cartken Mannequin C robots at its plant in suburban Detroit and is rising capability, Matteo Del Sorbo, government vice chairman at Magna, informed Automotive Information.

The settlement requires Magna to construct hundreds of the six-wheel robots, however the firms didn’t present a precise quantity or a greenback worth for the contract.

Cartken sees a marketplace for robots for autonomous deliveries at inns, universities, warehouses and different areas. The Oakland, Calif., firm is the developer and will not be offering the service.

Different firms will use the robots to do the precise deliveries. It’s a enterprise mannequin just like self-driving automobile firms reminiscent of Argo and Motional.

“This partnership is a big step towards scaling our enterprise and getting extra Mannequin Cs into the world,” stated Christian Bersch, co-founder and CEO of Cartken.

The Mannequin C has a number of cameras and makes use of machine-learning algorithms, GPS and mapping to investigate its atmosphere and reply in actual time. On-board teleoperation expertise permits for distant monitoring and a human to take management if crucial.

The supply robots can function autonomously outdoor and indoors.

The robotic that Magna is constructing for Cartken is designed for sidewalks, Del Sorbo stated.

“It is the primary utility that Cartken has focused with the Mannequin C,” he stated. “However there are different platforms and functions that we’ll be using it for down the highway.”

Though on a a lot smaller scale, constructing autonomous supply robots is a pure extension of Magna’s car manufacturing functionality, Del Sorbo stated.

“This car is similar to what Magna has achieved for a really very long time,” he stated. “However so far as an utility on sidewalk supply bots, this could be the primary ones that we’re constructing and deploying.”

It additionally suits throughout the firm’s plan to diversify past constructing passenger automobiles and components, Del Sorbo stated.

“It aligns with the technique that we have communicated at our investor day this yr and final yr that we’ll be shifting into new enterprise fashions,” he stated. “Final-mile supply is a rising market, and Magna desires to be a participant in that market.”

Magna ranks No. 4 on the Automotive Information checklist of the highest 100 international suppliers with worldwide gross sales to automakers of $36.2 billion in 2021.