DHL Supply Chain Completes 1B Picks with Locus Robotics

Why It Matters

Reaching a billion robot‑assisted picks validates large‑scale automation’s ROI and shows how data‑driven AMRs can sustain faster, more reliable e‑commerce fulfillment. This accelerates industry adoption of autonomous warehousing to meet consumer demand for speed and accuracy.

Key Takeaways

• DHL hit 1 billion robot‑assisted picks across 40+ sites.
• AMRs boost pick rates 30‑180% and cut training time 80%.
• DHL plans 5,000 additional Locus robots for 2023 rollout.
• Locus ONE platform enables real‑time analytics for fulfillment scaling.
• New Locus Array manipulator targets zero‑touch picking in Ohio.

Pulse Analysis

The rise of e‑commerce has forced logistics providers to rethink traditional pick‑and‑pack models, and DHL Supply Chain’s partnership with Locus Robotics exemplifies that shift. Since their first collaboration in 2017, DHL has integrated thousands of Locus Origin and Vector autonomous mobile robots into more than 40 warehouses worldwide. The recent announcement that the network has completed one billion robot‑assisted picks marks a tangible benchmark for autonomous fulfillment at scale. By embedding Locus’ LocusONE orchestration platform, DHL can coordinate human workers and machines in real time, turning the warehouse into a flexible, data‑rich ecosystem.

The operational gains reported by DHL are striking: pick rates have jumped between 30 % and 180 % per hour, while the time required to train new operators has fallen by roughly 80 %. Such improvements stem from the robots’ ability to bring inventory to the picker, reducing travel distance and fatigue, and from Locus’ analytics that continuously fine‑tune task allocation. Brian Gaunt, DHL’s VP of digitalization, emphasizes that measurable outcomes are a prerequisite for further deployment, a philosophy that has justified the planned addition of 5,000 more AMRs in 2023.

Looking ahead, the milestone signals a broader industry momentum toward fully automated fulfillment centers. Locus Robotics is expanding its portfolio with the Locus Array mobile manipulator, designed for zero‑touch storage and retrieval, and the company recently earned the 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for surpassing four billion picks. Competitors such as AutoStore and Boston Dynamics are also scaling their solutions, but DHL’s data‑centric approach gives it a competitive edge in cost control and service reliability. As consumer expectations tighten, the ability to scale robot‑assisted picking will become a decisive factor for 3PLs and retailers alike.