In context
In mid-2024, logistics providers were increasingly turning to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to handle e-commerce order surges and labor challenges. Kuehne+Nagel's deployment at its Châtres facility highlighted a trend toward collaborative robotics in European warehousing.
What was reported
Kuehne+Nagel introduced a robotized order sorting system from Libiao Robotics at its multi-client Châtres warehouse near Paris, France. The system uses about 50 Libiao AMRs, nicknamed “mini yellows,” which receive packed, pre-labeled parcels from operatives and transfer them to the correct outbound bins.
According to Kuehne+Nagel, the collaborative technology has improved productivity, reduced error rates to near zero, and supports staff by handling repetitive tasks. The facility is reportedly the first among Kuehne+Nagel's warehouses worldwide to use this technology, and the first 3PL in France to adopt such automated order sorting.
The integration was carried out by Körber Supply Chain, Libiao's global partner-integrator. It follows a successful pilot with nine Libiao robots under a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, during which 30% of peak-season orders were processed by the robots.
“Our teams are delighted to have these robots, because they enable them to reduce the drudgery of logistics tasks and concentrate on higher added-value operations such as personalizing parcels.”
Why it mattered
This deployment demonstrated the scalability of AMR-based sorting for seasonal peaks and the growing role of RaaS in easing adoption. It also underscored how collaborative robots can shift human labor toward higher-value tasks while creating new roles in robot maintenance, pointing to a broader evolution in warehouse workforce skills.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-07-31 · “Kuehne+Nagel integrates 50 Libiao autonomous mobile robots into its Châtres, France warehouse”