DHL is testing Baxter and Sawyer – two intelligent and collaborative robots. The tests cover co-packing and value-added operations, such as assembly, kitting, packaging, and pre-retail services. The robots from Rethink Robotics are intelligent, flexible solutions designed to support warehouse staff and increase the efficiency of DHL facilities.
– Historically, the distribution environment has been difficult to automate using traditional industrial robots that did not react properly to changes – says Matthias Heutger, SVP Strategy, Marketing & Innovation, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. – The recently published DHL Trend Report “Robotics in Logistics” indicates that due to the complexity of operations, 80 percent of logistics facilities perform them manually. Thanks to increasingly advanced technologies, however, the logistics industry is benefiting from the use of collaborative robots to increase efficiency.
DHL is currently testing the integration level of several Baxter and Sawyer robots at various operational points around the world. The company has also acquired its first Sawyer, which is being studied for 3D printing capabilities to create specialized grippers that allow the robots to perform additional tasks in the warehouse.
– Robots like Baxter and Sawyer are among the most advanced robots on the market, and we plan to use them to perform various packaging and inventory tasks, which in turn will allow us to use our employees for more value-added work – says Adrian Kumar, Vice President of Solutions Design North America at DHL Supply Chain. – By using these robots to work with people, we will ensure our production lines are adaptable to changes while increasing efficiency levels throughout the year.
With Baxter and Sawyer, DHL will be able to improve the automation process in terms of adapting to the changing conditions of the real world, the ability to quickly change applications, and performing tasks in the way humans do.
– Until recently, the logistics industry was unable to use intelligent collaborative robots, and the highly efficient Sawyer robot is a game-changer regarding what we can and cannot automate – said Markus Kückelhaus, Vice President of Innovation and Trend Research, DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation. – We are excited to bring flexibility and efficiency to our production floors, reducing cycle times, increasing operational agility, and supporting the bottom line.