OVO is a micro-logistics company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. They specialize in last mile deliveries and urban logistics solutions that use cargo bicycles and urban micro-depots (hubs) rather than relying solely on vans and trucks.
OVO
Cargo Bike Logistics
Needs
Route Optimization
Industry
Logistics
Client
Timeline
Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
ABOUT OVO
BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Easy to park and inexpensive to operate, cargo bikes are an increasingly popular option for logistics companies looking for a carbon free alternative to traditional delivery vans. But because cargo bikes are limited by battery range and human endurance, route optimization is essential to maximizing delivery efficiency and ensuring reliable service within these physical limits
SOLUTION
When OVO’s legacy routing system could no longer adapt to changing business needs, the company turned to Afi Labs to build an automated route planner that efficiently schedules same and next-day deliveries. By adopting a hybrid approach and building the route planner on top of the Google Maps Route Optimization API, OVO benefits from Google’s advanced routing algorithms and real-time traffic data, while still maintaining their own custom delivery workflows.
Customer orders are retrieved from Airtable at scheduled intervals and sent to the planner, where they are optimized at the designated cutoff time. OVO’s operations team can then view the planned routes and make adjustments as needed - such as rearranging stops or moving them between drivers using drag-and-drop
Once the operations team is satisfied with the route, they dispatch it to the driver app so that the driver can view the route on his phone.
On successful delivery, the drops off the package and takes a photo proof of delivery (POD). The time of delivery, location and POD are saved on the backend. Admin staff can use this information to confirm that the package was delivered safely and resolve any disputes.
WHAT’S NEXT
For OVO, route optimization is about more than just improving efficiency or cutting costs - it’s a critical component of their commitment to environmental sustainability. Their clients include a wide range of Swiss small and medium-sized businesses, such as local retailers, pharmacies, florists, e-commerce brands, and restaurants, all seeking to lower their carbon footprint while enhancing delivery performance.
In the coming months, Afi Labs will partner with OVO to support the expansion of their operations by white-labeling OVO’s route planner and adapting it into a multi-tenant platform, making it accessible to cargo bike logistics providers across Switzerland and the EU.
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