UPS researches a groundbreaking tech upgrade: Humanoid robots. The logistical giant is in energetic conversations with Figure AI, a robotics startup supported by Microsoft, to cause these robots after sources which can be acquainted with the matter.
This step signals a very important development within the UPS automation strategy and grows beyond robotic arms to more advanced, mobile AI-powered systems.
“We research and repeatedly use a big selection of technologies, including robotics, and we use repeatedly.” UPS said in a proof without naming the figure.
What happens
Figure's Humanoid robotIn a viral video in February it was seen how they sorted parcels next to a conveyor belt and identified real warehouse tasks. It was 5'6 ”and is built for environments for humans.
Our first customer use lasted 12 months. Our second customer use only lasted 30 days
Helix learned high rate logistics with a single neuronal network
On Sunday we successfully validated this on site in the client pic.twitter.com/ev5oelelly
– Illustration (@figure_robot) February 26, 2025
The exact scope of the potential use of UPS stays under closure, but ongoing discussions indicate that the expansion of dynamics is growing.
UPS has increased technical investments and spent around USD 1 billion annually for automation and AI to cut back the prices and increase efficiency.
Exchange past movements:
- AI-operated Orion routing system, which saves 10 m miles per yr
- Tools for edge and network planning that save tons of of tens of millions
- Partnerships with dexterity inc. for “human” robotic arms
The why
UpsAnd the logistics industry is fighting against chronic labor shortages. About 76% of the logistics corporations report personnel. Humanoid robots offer a scalable solution that performs tasks with skill that conventional systems cannot bypass.
What's next
See experts Humanoid robots that go in logistics mainstream inside 5 to 10 years. The early step of UPS could give him a big advantage, especially since Figure 1.5 billion is searching for USD 39.5 billion whether it is financed.
If UPS uses humanoid robots, this could redefine warehouse work and create a precedent for the longer term of worldwide logistics.
