FedEx Partners with Berkshire Grey for Bulk Unloading Robots in Multi-Year Deal
Under a non-exclusive multi-year partnership, FedEx will pilot Berkshire Grey’s 'Scoop' robots to automate bulk package unloading at select warehouses later this year, targeting high-risk, repetitive tasks. The $84 billion delivery firm prefers collaborations with robotics startups like Dexterity, Nimble and Aurora over in-house development.
1. Berkshire Grey Partnership
FedEx has inked a non-exclusive multi-year deal with Berkshire Grey to develop and deploy 'Scoop' robots designed for bulk package unloading. The pilot program will roll out later this year at select facilities, focusing on removing large bundles of parcels from trucks in one operation.
2. Focus on Dangerous, Repetitive Jobs
Executives identified bulk unloading as one of the most physically demanding and unpredictable warehouse tasks suitable for automation due to its repetitive nature and mixed package sizes. By automating these roles, FedEx aims to reassign employees to higher-skilled, safer positions while improving operational speed.
3. Expanded Robotics Collaborations
Beyond Berkshire Grey, FedEx works with unicorn startups Dexterity for dexterous picking robots and Nimble for fully autonomous warehouses. The company has also completed over 3,200 autonomous trucking loads with Aurora Innovation and previously piloted last-mile delivery with Nuro before shifting focus.
4. Partnership-Driven Automation Strategy
FedEx leadership emphasizes that developing advanced robotics in-house would be a multi-year, resource-intensive effort. By leveraging specialized partners, the company can accelerate technology deployment, solve specific business challenges and maintain focus on its core logistics network.