GM Files To Trademark BrightDrop Trace

GM has filed to trademark BrightDrop Trace, GM Authority has uncovered.

Filed on February 17^th, 2021 with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, the application is assigned serial number 97273092. The application was filed under the Goods and Services category reserved for vehicles (Nice Classification 12) and specifically lists a use case of “electrically operated mobile freight and storage containers.”

BrightDrop already has an electrically-operated mobile freight/storage container in its product portfolio dubbed the EP1. The EP1 is an electrically assisted delivery pallet that takes some of the workload off of the delivery driver, ideally resulting in more efficient deliveries and reducing the chances the employee will be injured while on the job.

The EP1 can store half a wooden pallet’s worth of goods, boasting a capacity of 23 cubic feet, along with a payload capacity of 200 lbs and a shelf weight rating of 200 lbs. It’s powered by a 43-volt 600 Wh lithium-ion battery and a 250W brushless motor and charges using a regular 110V outlet. The operator can also adjust the speed of the EP1 palette by up to 3.1 mph to match their walking pace.

The BrightDrop EP1 palette has not officially hit the market and has so far only been used by FedEx as part of a pilot program to evaluate its usefulness. BrightDrop says this pilot program showed delivery drivers using the electrically-assisted palett could deliver up to 25 percent more packages per day. Seeing as the BrightDrop EP1 has not yet hit the market, the BrightDrop Trace name could be the official name of this product once it goes on sale. This is similar to the BrightDrop EV400 and EV600, which are expected to adopt the ‘Zevo’ name once they officially arrive.

BrightDrop Rapid Load Vehicle concept

GM previously teased a so-called ‘Rapid Load Vehicle’ concept from BrightDrop, which is essentially an EV600 van that has the ability to load/unload several EP1 pallets at one time. This concept could make it easy for delivery drivers to unload several EP1 pallets at one time, reducing the time it takes to complete a delivery. This concept may give us more insight into how logistics companies like FedEx will use the BrightDrop EP1/Trace to their advantage in the years ahead.

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