DHL Supply Chain, the contract-logistics arm of DHL Group, now operates more than 8,000 robotics systems across its global warehouse footprint, the company confirmed in late May 2026. Sally Miller, the unit’s global chief information officer, said in a Fortune interview that the fleet is anchored to three primary partners — Locus Robotics, Boston Dynamics and Robust AI — and is changing how the operator staffs, schedules and trains its workforce.
The Three-Vendor Strategy
DHL uses Locus Robotics autonomous mobile robots for picker-to-goods order picking, Boston Dynamics’ Stretch and Atlas-derived systems for heavier case handling, and Robust AI’s Carter platform — a collaborative pushcart that runs an AI cognitive engine — for adaptive workflows in mixed-SKU sites. The fleet sits behind DHL’s warehouse management system, with rollout phased by site type and order profile.
Where Robust AI Shines
Robust AI’s Carter, which uses onboard cameras to map shelves and avoid both objects and workers, has boosted productivity by over 60% in some U.S. sites and around 30% across DHL’s Mexico network. The two companies signed a five-year alliance to scale Carter deployments across additional Mexican fulfillment centers, building on early pilots that finished in 2025.
People, Not Just Pickers
DHL said the deployment has cut operating costs and lowered employee turnover, although headcount is expected to fall as more sites convert to mixed human-robot operations. The company is investing in retraining for staff moving into robot-fleet supervisor and exception-handling roles. The push echoes other recent moves in the sector, including Locus Robotics’ acquisition of Nexera to add mobile manipulation, and a broader wave of last-mile automation milestones.
What’s Next
DHL plans to complete WMS integration across all robot vendors by year-end and expand pilots of humanoid systems in pick-and-pack workflows during 2026. Miller said the company is studying additional vendors but has no plans to dilute its current three-partner concentration before mid-2027.
Reporting based on coverage from Fortune, Yahoo Finance, Logistics Insider and Modern Materials Handling.