Is this the future of DAF Trucks?

What would happen if you gave a truck designer the freedom to do exactly what he likes? If for once they were not restricted by the limits of technology or legal regulations? DAF designer Bart van Lotringen decided to take this approach to the topic of urban distribution in 2050. His concept is revolutionary, but surprisingly enough it has its roots in history, too. Back to the future in other words.

Before he explains his concept, Bart van Lotringen paints a quick picture of the various social and technological developments currently at play. “We are moving towards a 24/7 economy in which everything has to be faster and more efficient,” he says. “We are getting more and more used to purchasing the things we need online, everything from shoes to groceries. Urban landscapes are changing: there are less shops in our city centres, even though the number of people living in cities continues to rise due to increased urbanisation. Cars are also being banned from city centres in order to make urban spaces more liveable."

Local and Social

It is very convenient, of course, that we don’t even have to leave our house anymore to purchase whatever it is we need. Not to mention the fact that you can have your purchases delivered right to your door within a few hours by courier or by drone. However, there is a negative aspect to this too, explains Van Lotringen. “People will always have a need to maintain social contact with other people. The picture I have just painted tells a different story, however; we are venturing outside our front doors less and less and interacting with other more often via computer screens.” And there is another negative aspect to these developments, says Van Lotringen: “Sometimes, because of our busy careers, we are not able to be around to collect a delivery when the courier arrives at our door. That means we have to collect the delivery ourselves at a local pick-up point later on.

Not very efficient and not good for the environment either. So new distribution concepts have been introduced in which goods are delivered directly to a central pick-up point instead, such as a supermarket with longer opening hours.”