DHL and Boston Dynamics signed an MOU on 13 May 2025 that could lead to more than 1,000 additional robots. DHL had used Stretch commercially in North America since 2023, with expansion to the UK and Europe. The MOU figure is an expansion intention, not a count of completed installations.
Carton condition matters as much as robot motion. Surface strength, weight, dimensions, damage and loading patterns affect gripping. The receiving conveyor or workstation also needs capacity to accept the flow.
Choose one dock with reasonably consistent goods. Record manual unloading time, damaged cartons, truck arrivals and downstream staffing, then trial representative loads including imperfect cartons. Use the site’s results to evaluate throughput and exception handling.
Original sources
Source summaries and application analysis by COCON. Pilot ideas are proposals, not claims of completed COCON projects or confirmed product availability.
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