XPO Logistics incorporates ‘smart robots’ into N. American, European networks

XPO Logistics is incorporating 5,000 “smart robots” – autonomous vehicles equipped with artificial intelligence (A.I.) – throughout its North American and European logistics networks in a new partnership with Singapore-based robotics manufacturer, GreyOrange Pte. Ltd.

The autonomous robots are part of a modular “goods-to-person system” that includes mobile storage racks, fulfillment stations and collaboration with humans to pick, pack and sort goods. Through the use of these robots, XPO Logistics is better able to meet same-day and next-day delivery timelines by shortening order-to-shipment time and minimizing human error.

Each robot can move a rack weighing 1,000 to 1,500 pounds to a station, where a worker fulfills up to 48 order simultaneously, the company said, enabling control of the process through XPO’s digital warehouse management system.

Bradley Jacobs, CEO of XPO Logistics said the implementation of the A.I.-enabled robots will optimize operations, “particularly in the e-commerce and omnichannel retail sectors, where order speed and accuracy are essential ways to compete.”

The company, which will turn 30 years old next year, has had an impressive first half of 2018. In August, it reported a 178 percent increase in net income, year-over-year, in its second quarter, which was attributable to “demand for e-commerce logistics globally, as well as by the consumer-packaged goods and technology sectors in North America and the fashion sector in Europe.”

To view videos of the robots in action, visit GreyOrange’s website.