DPD has partnered with Deus Robotics to create a tailored end-to-end robotic warehouse automation solution. Deus Robotics develops advanced robotics technology and software systems that support companies to more efficiently store, manage, and distribute products in a warehouse environment. The company was selected as one of the finalists from DPD's innovative EcoLaunchpad programme from a global applicant pool of over 100 companies to trial their solution in the live DPD environment.
The solution includes custom-built AI-powered software to operate the warehouse robots, a user-friendly cross-platform web application, specially designed transportation cages, and Deus Robotics ‘Rack Robots'. Equipped with obstacle-detecting technology, the robots help increase productivity by up to five times and can transport racks weighing up to 1,100 lbs.
The solution enables warehouse operators to focus on more high-level, value-adding, and less physically demanding work, while the robots pick up and autonomously transport the goods.
Following the successful trial, DPD has now placed an initial order to transform the operation at its flagship Docklands sortation centre in London. Integrating Deus Robotics' warehouse automation solution supports DPD's goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040, a target which is fully validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). DPD UK has confirmed that the UK operation is on track with the trajectory required to meet the group target, after delivering a 47.5% reduction in overall emissions at the end of 2024, compared to the 2020 benchmark.
Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability, DPDgroup UK commented, "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. We created the EcoLaunchpad to find and pull together the global innovators that can help us develop the solutions to power our journey to Net Zero. 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."
Antonina Iermeichuk, co-founder and COO of Deus Robotics, commented, "We are very proud to help DPD automate its parcel delivery operation. To be selected from the EcoLaunchpad and be able to work alongside the DPD team to develop the tailormade solution has helped make this a really successful implementation. The project marks yet another milestone on our journey to building a more sustainable logistics future."
Details on all of DPD's sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated website.
https://sustainability.dpd.co.uk/
DPD is a member of Geopost, a European leader in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce. Part of the La Poste Groupe. The company operates more than 10,000 vehicles in the UK from 85 locations and delivers over 360 million parcels a year.
DPD UK topped the Money Saving Expert parcel delivery customer satisfaction poll for the ninth time in 2024. In November 2023 DPD opened London Docklands to deliver all-electric throughout London. Currently, 35% of DPD's van fleet is all-electric while 95% of the HGV fleet runs on biofuel. The company is on track to be Net Zero by 2040.
