Logistics Providers Leverage AI and Robotics
In today’s fast-paced world, where customers expect speed and convenience, logistics providers are turning to cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to stay ahead of the competition. These technologies are enabling companies to serve their customers better and faster, providing a significant advantage in the marketplace.
Multinational logistics company DHL is at the forefront of this transformation, extensively integrating robotics into its warehouse operations.
DHL: Enhancing Warehouse Efficiency with Robotics
Javier Bilbao, APAC CEO of DHL Supply Chain, explained that DHL has been utilizing robotics “very extensively” in its warehouses, speaking at the CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore. “It’s not replacing — it’s complementing humans in the way that we operate,” Bilbao stated. He highlighted that robots are now handling “tasks … that previously were taken on by humans that are heavy, are very repetitive,” thereby improving efficiency and freeing up human employees for more complex responsibilities.
Tasks like moving pallets or unloading containers, which were once solely handled by humans, are now being assisted by robotic systems. Bilbao added that autonomous capabilities are becoming increasingly available, enabling robots to navigate warehouses independently. DHL is also using technology to improve warehouse oversight. “You don’t need gadgets to be present in the warehouse to be able to track where people are moving … where the heat maps are, [and] where you have bottlenecks.”
Bilbao emphasized the flexibility robotics provides, especially during peak seasons like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. “Robotics helps us in that … because they know how to do it from the get-go,” he noted.
Talabat: Using AI to Enhance Customer Engagement
Dubai-based online food ordering service Talabat is also investing heavily in AI. The company is primarily focused on using the technology to predict customer preferences and encourage more orders on its platform, according to CEO Tomaso Rodriguez.
This approach allows Talabat to offer better recommendations and target users with personalized incentives. While the company is also exploring the use of drones and robots for deliveries, Rodriguez noted that local restrictions present a hurdle. He believes that human interaction remains vital. “I [think] that human interaction is still very important and will not be replaced for quite some time.”
