Dive Brief:
- CEVA Logistics announced Thursday it will deploy Boston Dynamics' Stretch robot at a newly opened transload facility in Los Angeles as it focuses on the site’s velocity.
- The Stretch robot is able to unload hundreds of boxes per hour, reach boxes up to 50 pounds in weight and its vision system allows it to adapt to various stacking configurations, Kevin Blankespoor, senior vice president and general manager of warehouse robotics at Boston Dynamics, said in a statement.
- The logistics company expects to process a total of 26,000 floor-loaded containers during the facility's first year in operation, according to the release. Within three years, the company expects to double its capacity.
Dive Insight:
CEVA Logistics is doubling down on automation to advance its sorting processes and operations at its 135,000 square-foot warehouse in Los Angeles, which caters to automotive, consumer retail and technology companies.
Besides deploying robots from Boston Dynamics, the company already uses a cross-belt sortation device enabling 10,000 parcels to be sorted every hour. The sortation device can sort parcels by size, color or preferred carrier.
Adding to the automation, the facility is equipped with One Network’s yard and warehouse management systems, and CEVA will also use Boston Dynamics' Spot robot to patrol the site for security.
CEVA's use of the Stretch robot, which can operate continuously, will help it improve safety and efficiency compared to manual labor, the company said in the release.
Boston Dynamics rolled out its Stretch robot back in 2021, aimed at making the process of unloading trucks more efficient for workers. Since then, Maersk, DHL and NFI have all announced plans to add the robot in their warehouses.
