Many logistics businesses use robots to pick items or move goods throughout the warehouse. Beyond that, though, robotics hasn’t seen much adoption in this sector — at least, until now. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered truck-loading robots are starting to appear.

FedEx and Dexterity AI

Logistics robots took another leap forward with the news that FedEx is collaborating with robotics company Dexterity AI. In a September 26 press release, the businesses unveiled DextR — a two-arm robot that uses AI to determine the best way to load boxes onto a truck.

Historically, robots perform best in highly predictable environments. Truck loading doesn’t fall into that category because every shipment includes boxes and packages of varying shapes and sizes. DextR works around that obstacle by analyzing each shipment and truck space in real time to adapt to different jobs.

According to Dexterity AI, DextR can assess billions of possibilities in 500 milliseconds. That way, it can determine how to pack boxes to use the space as efficiently as possible while ensuring the shipment is secure. Cameras and LiDAR sensors help it make these decisions, as touch sensors let it grab and move boxes without damaging or letting them slip.