Boston Dynamics has found its first customer for its Stretch palletizer robot. Supply chain company DHL is partnering with Boston Dynamics to spend $15 million to further automate its North American warehouses. Boston Dynamics will deliver a fleet of Stretch robots to multiple DHL warehouses across North America over the next three years.

Boston Dynamics and DHL have worked closely together over the past several years to test and develop Stretch. The robot will be responsible for handling boxes inside the DHL warehouse. The first task was to unload trucks at selected DHL facilities.

“At DHL Supply Chain, we are committed to continuous innovation and digital transformation to optimize the end-to-end supply chain. Investing in warehouse automation plays an important role in increasing operational efficiency and improving service to customers, “said Sally Miller, chief information Officer, DHL Supply Chain North America. “We are excited to partner with Boston Dynamics to deploy its best-in-class robotics technology in our warehouse. “Stretch robots solve complex industry challenges with flexible automation that we will be able to replicate and scale regionally and globally.”

Stretch is the next generation of Handle, a robot introduced by Boston Dynamics in 2017 that combines wheels and legs. Stretch doesn’t have legs, but it does have an all-directional moving base with four independently controlled wheels, a custom 7-DOF industrial robot arm that can lift 50 pounds, a custom suction gripper and more ends. The vacuum system of the grabber is on the moving base.

The battery life of the Stretch is eight hours, but there will be a 16-hour battery option and the ability to plug the Stretch in for continuous power. Stretch uses the Pick vision system, which Boston Dynamics acquired when it acquired KinemaSystems in April 2019. Pick uses high-resolution 2D and 3D vision as well as machine learning algorithms for robotic unloading. One of the main keys to success will be Stretch’s ability to handle a variety of boxes.

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“Stretch is Boston Dynamics’ newest robot, specifically designed to remedy challenges within warehouse Spaces,” said RobertPlayter, CEO of Boston Dynamics. “We are excited to partner with DHL Supply Chain to provide a fleet of robots that will further automate warehousing and improve safety for their employees.” We believe Stretch can have a measurable impact on DHL’s business operations, and we’re excited to see the robot work at scale.”

The first Stretch units will begin deploying at DHL warehouses this spring, and DHL plans to gradually expand Boston Dynamics’ robots in phases over the next few years to complete more tasks and be used at multiple facilities.