Clevon is an Estonian-based technology company which develops and manufactures driverless vehicles. The company wants to be one of the first and leading technology companies in the world whose unmanned vehicles are widely used in everyday traffic. They have offices in Estonia and the US, Texas. The company was founded in 2022 after a spin-off from Cleveron, an automated pick-up lockers manufacturer.
Interview with Sander Sebastian Agur, CEO of Clevon.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Sander Sebastian Agur: We are developing and manufacturing in-house electric delivery vehicles that save energy, are environmentally friendly and contribute towards a climate-neutral economy.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
S.S.A: In May 2022, Clevon released a third-generation teleoperated all-electric vehicle CLEVON 1. It is a platform unmanned delivery vehicle with various top applications.
We are brutally honest about the stage of the technology. The way to have autonomous driving on public roads is teleoperation. Our teleoperation-first approach allows us to add autonomy levels step by step. Clevon will not have whole level 5 autonomy on the streets today. It is a very misleading concept because everybody has some type of teleoperation in the background, and we are very open that this is the reality. Let’s start with a safe teleoperation method and then grow from there and add autonomy.
Clevon is already active in three countries where we have permission to drive on public roads. We have begun working with DHL Express Estonia and DPD Estonia in Tallinn, Colruyt Group in Belgium and IKI stores in Vilnius, Lithuania. Our team is working towards getting our vehicles on roads in more countries.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
S.S.A: CLEVON 1 is a multifunctional vehicle used for different business needs, as several top applications can be installed on the platform. For instance, a Cargobox, a MultiBox, a Mini Locker, a Speed Camera etc. The vehicle can also be turned into a Flatbed Truck, a Mini Truck, a Recycling Vehicle etc.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
S.S.A: The volume of packages is ever-growing. Clevon’s business growth comes as the pressure from businesses and consumers to offer on-demand, same-day or next-day delivery of goods continues to skyrocket. On the other hand, there is a lack of drivers worldwide.
Clevon’s driverless robot vehicles shall drive on public roads and enable the transportation of goods to be more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. Clevon’s robots have been tested on public roads in Europe for over two years and are proven to be safe and reliable. The robot carriers are environmentally focused with zero CO2 emissions and reduce last-mile delivery labour costs by up to 90%, as one teleoperator can supervise up to 5-10 vehicles simultaneously in the future.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
S.S.A: The market appears ripe to expand and contract significantly as new companies throw their hat into the ring to meet huge customer demand, and yet others fold due to their inability to navigate the technological innovation and regulatory landscapes. Customers will quickly learn that it is one thing to say you can do something autonomously; it is another to actually have a vehicle on the road doing it.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
S.S.A: Clevon, with its 3rd generation vehicle CLEVON 1, is well-positioned to emerge as a leader in the autonomous delivery industry, and we have a promising year ahead. Clevon is the only company in its class in Europe, achieving in eight months what took global competitors four years to achieve. And most importantly, we are making autonomous delivery happen today worldwide.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
S.S.A: We expect 2023 to be a dynamic year for the autonomous vehicle industry. The ability to get approval on public roads and safely and effectively demonstrate solution value will separate successful companies from the ones that fade.
