Boston Dynamics, a robotics company under Hyundai Motor Group, will supply an additional 1,000 units of its Stretch robot to global logistics leader DHL, further solidifying a strategic partnership aimed at driving innovation in logistics through 2030.
On May 13 (local time), DHL announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boston Dynamics to deploy more than 1,000 additional Stretch robots. This follows an initial $15 million agreement signed in January 2022.
The expanded collaboration builds on a relationship that began in 2018, with the new units to be deployed across DHL’s global logistics hubs.
DHL plans to expand the application of Stretch beyond logistics operations to other business units within the group. The robots will be primarily used for case picking, one of the most physically demanding tasks in warehouse operations.
Stretch is a robot designed to automate the loading and unloading of boxes. Since its commercial debut in North America in 2023, the robot has expanded its presence into Europe and the United Kingdom. It can unload up to 700 boxes per hour.
The two companies aim to go beyond a traditional supplier-client relationship by jointly developing and investing in technology to establish a foundation for sustainable growth in the logistics sector by 2030. The partnership will focus on co-innovation, including joint R&D, real-time testing, and operational validation.
DHL has been investing heavily in logistics automation, including the expansion of its partnership with Boston Dynamics. Over the past three years, DHL has invested more than $1.07 billion (approximately €1 billion) in automation technologies. The company currently operates more than 7,500 robots, 200,000 smart devices, and around 800,000 IoT sensors globally. Over 90% of DHL warehouses have implemented at least one form of automation.
Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter stated, “This expansion marks a major milestone in transforming the future of the logistics industry. Stretch is the first general-purpose robot capable of performing complex tasks like case picking, and it is well-optimized for DHL’s diverse operational needs.”
An industry expert commented, “The model is shifting from simply purchasing finished products to developing customized solutions through real-time feedback. As global logistics companies race to enhance their automation capabilities, competition is expected to intensify.”
