Published on: May 16, 2025 / update from: May 16, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
DHL is investing in 1000 Stretch robots from Boston Dynamics for handling boxes-template: DHL / creative image: xpert.digital
DHL is driving automation: 1000 new robots by 2030
DHL and Boston Dynamics expand cooperation on a large scale
The global logistics group DHL Group has signed a strategic declaration of intent (Memorandum of Understanding, Mou) with the robotics company Boston Dynamics, which provides for the purchase of 1000 additional stretch robots by 2030. This agreement marks an important step in the automation strategy of the company and builds on a successful cooperation that has existed since 2018. DHL plans to expand the purposes of the robots beyond loading and unloading and, among other things, to use them for the picking of boxes.
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Strategic partnership and automation strategy
The recently signed declaration of intent between DHL and Boston Dynamics is an important milestone in the long-term cooperation between the two companies. Since 2018, the logistics and robotic experts have been successfully cooperating with each other. In particular, the partnership has promoted the joint product development for integrated automation solutions (end-to-end), which also includes conveyor belts and palletizers, as was demonstrated in the project in the United Kingdom.
DHL Supply Chain, the group's contract logistics division, initially introduced the stretch robot in 2023 in North America and recently extended the commitment to the United Kingdom and Europe. The new contract now paves the way for the global introduction of more than 1000 additional units. This investment is part of a more comprehensive strategy: In the past three years, DHL has invested over one billion euros in the automation of its contract logistics division.
"With our agenda for faster digitization, we rely on maximizing the effect of robotics and automation in all of our companies and business areas," explains Sally Miller, Global Cio from DHL Supply Chain. Due to the extended partnership with Boston Dynamics, DHL will take on a more active role in the design and control of robotics development together with important partners.
Technology and skills of the stretch robot
The Stretch robot from Boston Dynamics was launched in 2022 and developed especially for the handling of boxes. In essence, it consists of a robot arm with seven degrees of freedom that is attached to a mobile platform. Sensors and cameras are attached to a mast through which the robot can perceive its surroundings and objects. With a suction array, the robot can absorb parcels and boxes and thus automatically load and unload vehicles or work in the warehouse.
This mobile robot can handle packages and boxes with a weight of up to 23 kg and stacks them independently and saved, taking into account their size. Its performance is impressive: stretch can unload up to 700-800 boxes per hour. With the mobile platform, the robot can be used flexibly where it is currently used and can therefore automate logistics areas relatively easily.
Stretch does not require a specially adapted infrastructure for its area of application, which significantly reduces the implementation costs for warehouse operators. The robot can also work up to eight hours without a loading break, which corresponds to continuous use over two layers.
Previous implementation and practical experience
DHL was one of the first companies to have used the robot in North America since 2023. At the time, DHL spent $ 15 million for the first robots. After successful tests, DHL also introduced the logistics robot in the United Kingdom and in Europe.
The previous operations from Stretch have reached unladen rates of up to 700 boxes per hour and contributed significantly to higher employee satisfaction. A central advantage is the reduction in physically exhausting work in truck fans, which can be very hot in summer and extremely cold in winter. This not only improves working conditions, but also optimizes operational processes in the logistics center.
The operators do not require any technical or engineering knowledge to deal with the robot. Ideally, these are employees who understand the entrance process and the training only takes two days. Another advantage: a single operator can safely manage several stretch robots, which drastically increases the input productivity.
Future areas of application and expected advantages
With the new agreement, DHL would like to expand the area of application of the stretch robot. While they have so far been mainly used to automate container bridges, DHL is now planning to use them for other purposes. A special focus is on the picking of boxes, which represents the most labor -intensive activity within DHL Supply Chain.
"Stretch is also the first multi-use-case robot to be ideal for picking boxes and thus fulfills the different [requirements]," DHL describes the advantages of the system. In the future, the use should also be able to be adjusted in other business areas in order to implement improvements in the processes in large styles.
With this expansion of the areas of application, DHL aims to accelerate automation across all business areas. The flexible use of stretch makes it particularly valuable for various logistical challenges. His mobility and compact design enable him to maneuver in and from trucks and narrow rooms in a camp.
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Automation at DHL in a larger context
The investment in the stretch robot is part of a more comprehensive automation strategy from DHL. The group now uses more than 7,500 robots, over 200,000 intelligent handheld devices and almost 800,000 IoT sensors to optimize processes and improve working conditions. In addition to Boston Dynamics, DHL also uses robots from other companies such as Autostore, Fox Robotics, Geek+ and Locus Robotics.
It is noteworthy that more than 90 percent of all DHL stores worldwide are now equipped with at least one automation or digitization solution. This clearly shows how far automation in the logistics industry has already progressed and what strategic importance it has for DHL.
As part of the 2030 strategy, DHL strengthens its commitment in the field of automation through strategic partnerships in order to further develop, test and use robotics applications together with leading providers. Cooperation with Boston Dynamics is an important part of this strategy.
Flexible automation: The transformation of logistics at DHL is now beginning
The investment of DHL in 1000 additional stretch robots from Boston Dynamics marks an important step in the automation strategy of the logistics company. The extended partnership is based on already successful cooperation and aims to expand the areas of application of the robots beyond loading and unloading.
The stretch robots offer DHL numerous advantages: You can manage up to 700-800 boxes per hour, improve employee satisfaction by taking on physically exhausting work and can be used flexibly in various logistics areas. The planned expansion to the picking of boxes shows the potential of this technology for other areas of application.
In a larger context, this investment reflects DHL's extensive automation strategy, which has already been using more than 7,500 robots worldwide and has equipped over 90 percent of its warehouses with automation solutions. With the 2030 strategy, DHL aims to further strengthen its position as a leading logistics company through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships and to set new standards for the logistics industry.
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