FedEx's shift towards partnerships for its automation strategy marks a significant move away from developing its own robotic fleets in-house. The logistics giant has chosen to collaborate with robotics companies like Berkshire Grey to develop robots that can handle repetitive and physically demanding jobs, such as bulk package unloading. Under its multi-year partnership with Berkshire Grey, FedEx developed Scoop, a bot designed to remove large bundles of packages from a truck at once. The company will start rolling out these robots to its warehouses through a pilot program later this year.
FedEx's decision to prioritize partnerships over proprietary tech is likely driven by the complexity of developing sensors and robotics capabilities. As O.P. Skaaksrud, vice president of advanced technology and innovation, notes, "The entire package and developing sensor hardware is complicated, but developing robotics capabilities is next level." By partnering with experts in the field, FedEx can leverage their expertise and accelerate the development of automation solutions.
FedEx's first attempt to automate bulk unloading was unsuccessful, with the company struggling to find a suitable robot for the job. Stephanie Cook, director of advanced technology and innovation, robotics, said, "There's nothing that is off-the-shelf that we recognize will work for our needs." The company's partnership with Berkshire Grey has resulted in the development of Scoop, a bot designed to tackle this specific task.
The company's focus on automating the most dangerous and physically demanding jobs at its warehouses first is a strategic move to reduce the risk of injury to employees. By prioritizing these tasks, FedEx can create a safer working environment and free up employees to focus on higher-skilled jobs.
When FedEx says it's prioritizing partnerships over proprietary tech, that means the company is acknowledging the complexity of developing automation solutions and the need for expertise in the field. This shift towards collaboration could have significant implications for the logistics industry as a whole, potentially leading to more efficient and effective automation solutions.
