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Dive Brief:
- FedEx is testing the use of artificial intelligence robots to more efficiently load its ground unit trailers through a partnership with robotics company Dexterity AI.
- Dexterity AI’s robot, DexR, moves autonomously on the back of a trailer before connecting to an electric conveyor system, which feeds the robot boxes directly from the facility’s sorting system. The DexR’s two-arm design allows it to pick and pack boxes simultaneously, boosting efficiency.
- “Testing of truck loading technology is ongoing by FedEx with the goal of improving the technology and commercial development in the future,” according to a Tuesday news release emailed to Supply Chain Dive.
Dive Insight:
FedEx has been pursuing for some time more automated package handling processes throughout its operations, including loading and unloading, which it says frees up employees for other tasks while keeping service levels high.
Loading FedEx trailers efficiently can be a challenge considering the wide variety of shipments the company encounters, as size, shape, weight and packaging material must be considered to create a stable wall of boxes . Dexterity AI touts its truck-loading robot as capable of handling this complex mix of volume.
“Based on feedback from our operations team, we sought a solution that helps alleviate the challenges of truck loading,” Rebecca Yeung, vice president of business science and advanced technologies at FedEx, said in a statement. “Partnering with Dexterity AI to combine the latest in artificial intelligence and robotics supports our operations team while meeting growing customer demand.”
Dexterity’s AI software powers the DexR robot, giving it many useful truck loading capabilities. It can quickly evaluate possible ways to load the trailer, it has a sense of touch so it can gently push boxes together and improve its efficiency with each box selected through machine learning.
FedEx is expanding further into robotics as other companies slow their pursuit of automation amid high interest rates and economic uncertainty. Robot orders in North America declined again in the 2nd quarter after record purchases in 2021 and 2022, according to the Association for Advanced Automation.
“While many companies continue to automate, others simply don’t have the capital to invest right now,” Alex Shikany, the association’s vice president of membership and business intelligence, said in a statement.