DHL Supply Chain has announced the global deployment of the SVT Robotics SOFTBOT® Platform, a move that allows the logistics leader to integrate new robotic technologies up to 12 times faster than traditional methods. With over 8,000 collaborative robots already in operation, this tech-agnostic platform serves as the “universal glue” between DHL’s Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and a diverse array of automation hardware.
The implementation marks a shift away from monolithic, custom-coded systems toward modular warehouse setups that can be reconfigured in hours rather than weeks.
Breaking the “Custom Coding” Bottleneck
Before adopting the SOFTBOT Platform, initiating a new robotic solution typically required six to eight weeks of bespoke programming. By utilizing pre-built connectors, DHL has dramatically slashed these timelines:
- Rapid Replication: Goods-to-Person solutions have been replicated across European sites with integration completed in just three hours.
- Zero-Downtime Upgrades: New operational technologies have been added to live operations in the Asia-Pacific region without interrupting existing workflows.
- Self-Sufficiency: DHL now performs the majority of these implementations independently, further reducing costs and accelerating the rollout of its digitalization agenda.
A Unified Dashboard for Hybrid Fleets
Beyond mere connectivity, the platform provides a single, multi-site dashboard that offers real-time data synchronicity across DHL’s global network.
- Orchestration: The unified data layer allows managers to coordinate “hybrid fleets”—human associates and robots working side-by-side—ensuring safer and more efficient workflows.
- Real-Time Monitoring: System-wide alerts and performance tracking maximize network resiliency and allow for rapid troubleshooting.
- AI Readiness: The standardized data access unlocks significant opportunities to scale logistics-focused AI and machine learning applications.
Scaling to 100 Sites Worldwide
The SOFTBOT Platform is currently live in 30 DHL Supply Chain sites globally. Under its “Accelerating Sustainable Growth” strategy, DHL plans to expand this technology to more than 100 sites across all geographies over the next three years.
Sally Miller, Global CIO of DHL Supply Chain, emphasized the need for agility: “The logistics industry is characterized by rapid change, so our automation solutions need to adapt just as quickly. The SOFTBOT Platform gives us an effective way to connect different robotics to our systems and scale with confidence.”
AK Schultz, CEO of SVT Robotics, noted that DHL’s ability to lead its own implementations is a “gamechanger” for the industry, allowing for faster deployments and superior data visibility that directly benefits the end customer.
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