Dhl aims to automate container and lorry loading operations using Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot. On 13 May 2025, the German multinational announced a memorandum of understanding with the American manufacturer for the delivery of one thousand units. The partnership between the two companies goes beyond this initial order, as Dhl is developing a co-design and testing approach with leading technology firms, among which Boston Dynamics plays a key role. The logistics group also plans to deploy robots in other warehouse operations, including parcel picking.
The German firm has already trialled the Stretch robot at a site in the United Kingdom, where it was integrated into a system of conveyors and palletisers, demonstrating the flexibility and effectiveness of the solution even in complex processes. Today, more than 90% of Dhl’s warehouses are equipped with at least one automated or digitalised solution; globally, the group employs over 7,500 robots, 200,000 smart handheld devices and around 800,000 connected sensors.
The Stretch robot features a multi-jointed robotic arm and a suction-based gripper head, allowing it to lift and move boxes weighing up to 23 kilograms while adapting to various shapes and sizes. It operates on an omnidirectional mobile base, enabling it to navigate efficiently through narrow warehouse aisles without the need for predefined paths or dedicated infrastructure. Thanks to advanced sensors and computer vision technologies, Stretch identifies parcels, plans its movements and works safely even in environments shared with human operators.
One of Stretch’s key strengths is its flexibility: it can be deployed rapidly in existing warehouses without requiring structural modifications. The robot is capable of unloading lorries, assembling orders and storing goods, operating continuously for approximately eight hours on its internal battery. It can handle up to 800 boxes per hour.
