DHL Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with advanced robotics company Boston Dynamics.

Building on the success of Boston Dynamics' Stretch robot, designed for case handling and initially deployed by DHL to automate container unloading, DHL said it signed an agreement to expand its use globally, paving the way for the deployment of more than 1,000 additional units.

Looking ahead, DHL plans to expand the range of applications for the robots, including additional use cases such as case picking.

 [Source: DHL]

DHL said the agreement represents a key step in its ongoing collaboration with Boston Dynamics, which began in 2018 and has contributed to advances in logistics automation.

DHL Supply Chain, the company’s contract logistics division, first deployed the Stretch robot commercially in North America in 2023 and has since expanded its use to the United Kingdom and Europe.

Case unloading rates of up to 700 cases per hour

DHL said to date, the deployments of Stretch have achieved case unloading rates of up to 700 cases per hour and contributed to higher employee satisfaction by reducing the need for physically demanding work in hot or cold trailers.

The partnership has also driven joint product development with end-to-end automation solutions integrating conveyors and palletizers, as demonstrated in the UK project.

The DHL Group is evaluating how the technology can be applied across its business units, with a focus on case picking, the most labor-intensive task within DHL Supply Chain. The company sees this as the next step in expanding the impact of Stretch beyond container unloading.

"Through our Accelerated Digitalization agenda, we are committed to maximizing the impact of robotics and automation across all our operations and business units," Sally Miller, Global CIO of DHL Supply Chain, said.

"It's a fundamental shift that's reshaping how we operate and elevate service for our customers. Through this expanded partnership with Boston Dynamics, DHL will take a more active role in shaping and directing robotics development alongside key partners, focusing on building more resilient, responsive and smarter solutions that address the unique challenges of our company. Together, we're setting new standards for the logistics industry."

As part of its commitment to cross-business innovation, DHL said it ensures that successful advancements developed within the Supply Chain division are evaluated and adapted for implementation across the wider Group, maximizing impact at scale.

Over the past three years, DHL Group has invested over €1 billion (US$1.12 billion) in automation in its contract logistics division alone.

Across its global network, the Group now uses more than 7,500 robots, over 200,000 smart handheld devices, and close to 800,000 IoT sensors to optimize operations, enhance working conditions for employees, and deliver measurable value for customers.

More than 90% of DHL warehouses worldwide are  also equipped with at least one automation or digitalization solution.

Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, note that Stretch is ideally suited to be the first multi-use case, box picking robot that can meet the diverse needs of DHL. "Together we are striving to set an example of practical leadership of the modern supply chain," he added.

As part of Strategy 2030, DHL Group aims to further formalize its partnerships with technology leaders, driving not just deployment at scale, but also joint development, co-investment, and deeper collaboration models.

It noted that this integrated approach — ranging from robotics partnerships to mutually beneficial incentive programs — will play a central role in establishing robotics and automation as key drivers of sustainable, long-term growth across DHL Group.