DPD to Roll Out End-to-End Robotic Warehouse Automation System
In a significant move to enhance its warehouse operations and reduce carbon emissions, DPD has partnered with Deus Robotics to develop a tailored end-to-end robotic warehouse automation system. According to a report by Retail Systems, the new system includes custom-built AI-powered software to operate the warehouse robots, a cross-platform web application, specially designed transportation cages, and ‘Rack Robots’.
The Rack Robots, equipped with obstacle-detecting technology, are capable of increasing productivity by up to five times and transporting racks weighing up to 1,100 lbs. This innovative technology enables warehouse operators to focus on more high-level, value-adding, and less physically demanding work. As quoted in Retail Systems, Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications & sustainability, DPDgroup UK, said, "A big part of what makes us the UK’s leading premium parcel delivery company is our unending commitment to innovation and investment in new technology."
The partnership between DPD and Deus Robotics follows the robotics company being selected as one of the finalists of DPD’s EcoLaunchpad programme. Deus Robotics was chosen from a global applicant pool of over 100 companies to trial their solution in the live DPD environment. After a successful trial, DPD has now placed an initial order to transform the robotics system at its flagship Docklands sortation centre in London.
The new warehouse automation system supports DPD’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040. The company is on track to meet its targets in the UK, having delivered a 47.5 per cent reduction in overall emissions at the end of 2024, compared to the 2020 benchmark. As Retail Systems reported, Jones added, "The next part of that journey will require much more than just decarbonising fleet. We have to challenge ourselves on every aspect of the operation and think about technologies that aren’t currently widely adopted or sitting ‘on the shelf’ already. By working side by side with the innovators, we hope to solve more of the problems, more quickly."
DPD has also been experimenting with robot technology in other areas of the business. In December 2024, the company announced it was the first UK parcel delivery company to roll out Ottonomy’s fully autonomous locker delivery robot. The Ottobot is a multi-compartment “locker on wheels”, larger than DPD’s existing autonomous delivery robots, with a maximum payload of 70kg and eight different compartments that can carry parcels of varying sizes.
The company has also expanded its robot delivery service to Lincoln as part of a nationwide roll out. Based at DPD UK’s Lincoln depot at St Modwens Park, the robots deliver to the nearby village of Witham St Hughs, via an existing network of footpaths. This move is part of DPD’s ongoing efforts to innovate and invest in new technology, as reported by Retail Systems.
The development of the end-to-end robotic warehouse automation system is a significant step forward for DPD, demonstrating its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and reducing carbon emissions. As the company continues to explore new technologies and solutions, it is likely to remain a leader in the parcel delivery industry. Retail Systems has provided further information on DPD’s automation plans.
