DHL Supply Chain announces alliance with Robust.AI for logistics automation in Mexico

DHL Supply Chain and collaborative robotics systems provider Robust.AI announced a five-year strategic alliance, expanding on the companies’ successful North American deployments.

Now, DHL Supply Chain will introduce Robust.AI’s Carter robots in Latin America, with a rollout of 15 units in its retail operations in Mexico.

Scalable, robotic deployments in supply chain operations

DHL Supply Chain said the partnership with Robust.AI is a key element of its strategy focused on identifying and deploying scalable, commercially viable robotic and automation technologies that deliver immediate operational benefits.

“DHL Supply Chain is committed to building the future of logistics through innovation and technology,” said Mario Rodríguez de la Gala, president of DHL Supply Chain Mexico. “Our partnership with Robust.AI allows us to integrate flexible, collaborative robotics into our day-to-day operations, driving not only efficiency and accuracy, but also keeping our customers at the center of all that we do. This partnership reflects both our short- and long-term vision to keep reinventing supply chains in Mexico.”

DHL said that Carter’s deployments in North America have consistently improved productivity by over 60%, while enhancing safety and operational efficiency. In Mexico, the improvement so far has reached 30%.

DHL said that this is not an isolated application. It signals the company’s readiness to utilize collaborative robotics in Mexico in a way that creates tangible value for DHL customers, employees and the business. DHL said the robots will be integrated into its’ Warehouse Management System (WMS) by 2026, with a phased rollout plan designed for flexible scaling.

“Deploying Carter across multiple DHL facilities, joining a global workforce, and showing value in spaces with varying levels of tech integration, is an important and exciting milestone in our expanding partnership with DHL, said Anthony Jules, co-founder and CEO of Robust.AI. “Choosing flexible, human-centered, safe automation with a lower barrier to entry is a faster path to ROI - but it also shows your teams you’re putting them first.”

DHL said that Carter’s modular design makes it particularly well-suited for this approach. It can be introduced with basic functionality - such as motor-assisted movement that reduces physical strain and improves ergonomics - before scaling up to more advanced capabilities like autonomous navigation through integration with DHL’s Warehouse Management System.

Carter supports point-to-point operations, enabling dynamic and intelligent autonomous goods movement within facilities. DHL said this flexibility will allow it to tailor deployments to each site’s level of technological readiness, while also enabling the relocation of robots between operations to support seasonal peaks or shifting customer needs.

DHL Supply Chain said it plans to deploy hundreds of Carter robots across its Americas operations in the coming years, with potential expansion into other regions.