DHL Group has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Boston Dynamics to globally deploy more than 1,000 additional Stretch robots, marking amilestone in the companies’ long-standing collaboration on logistics automation.
The Stretch robot, purpose-built for case handling tasks such as unloading containers, has already proven its value across DHL Supply Chain sites in North America and Europe.
With unloading rates reaching up to 700 cases per hour, the robots have alleviated physically demanding tasks in extreme working conditions, contributing to both productivity gains and higher employee satisfaction.
Under the new agreement, DHL will expand the use of Stretch into case picking – the most labour-intensive process in its warehouses – while exploring further integration across multiple business units.
“Through our Accelerated Digitalisation agenda, we are committed to maximising the impact of robotics and automation across all our operations,” said Sally Miller, global CIO of DHL Supply Chain.
“This expanded partnership with Boston Dynamics will allow us to co-develop resilient and smarter solutions tailored to our unique logistics challenges.”
The partnership reflects DHL’s shift away from traditional vendor relationships, opting instead for co-development models that enable robotics suppliers to test and scale innovations in real-world logistics environments.
DHL has invested more than €1bn in automation within its contract logistics division in the past three years.
Today, more than 90% of its warehouses are equipped with at least one automation or digitalisation solution, including more than 7,500 robots globally.
The agreement forms part of DHL’s Strategy 2030, which aims to make robotics and automation central to long-term, sustainable growth.
Achievements and innovations in retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport & logistics, and more will be celebrated at the Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation sectors!
