DHL is deploying robots to help workers on some of its North American distribution centres.
The 1000 LocusBots from Locus Robotics will operate on 12 DHL Supply Chain sites across the continent, helping pickers and packers to fulfil orders.
The robots are able to navigate autonomously within the warehouses, locating and transporting items that need to be picked.
Jim Gehr, president of retail at DHL Supply Chain North America, said: “The agreement with Locus Robotics further enables us to bring productivity-enhancing technology to our customers quickly, so they are well-positioned to capitalise on new and emerging opportunities.
“DHL Supply Chain’s initial implementation of the Locus solution within the life sciences and retail sectors was a tremendous success; we saw increases in fulfillment productivity of up to 80% in selected customer operations. We now see an opportunity to extend the benefits of utilising their highly flexible AMR solution at scale for customers across multiple sectors. We look forward to continuing to work with Locus to drive productivity, support capacity growth and deliver continuous improvement within our customers’ supply chains nationwide.”
Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, said: “We’ve already identified the sites in question and expect deployment in 2020 to support volume for peak season. What is particularly gratifying about this expansion is that the DHL decision was based on observed successes in their early facilities. We continue to see customers
expanding their relationships as they prove out our solution.”
DHL outlined a new digitisation strategy last year that will see it investing in robotics, amongst other areas.
