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FedEx is stepping up the usage of robotics and artificial intelligence to streamline parcel handling, but its chief executive has indicated that warehouse environments demand capabilities beyond what current humanoid designs can offer.
Raj Subramaniam told The New York Times that unloading and loading vehicles represented a major challenge. He said that part of the supply chain involves variation and unpredictability, which continues to limit how far conventional robotics can go in FedEx facilities.
‘Super humanoid’ designs and difficult tasks
Subramaniam explained that manual tasks within the company’s distribution network remain difficult to automate because “packages come in every size, shape, and weight.” He explained that FedEx is not seeking human-like machines so much as systems designed for complex movement.
He said, “We’re not looking for humanoid robots - we’re looking for super humanoid robots, because maybe they need to have a couple of elbows. More degrees of freedom.”
The proposed approach reflects a push toward machines that can bend, pivot and adjust to irregular items rather than merely imitate human limbs.
The company’s robotics strategy is still at the testing stage. Subramaniam said the models are “not ready for prime time yet,” although efforts are continuing within pilot environments, suggesting a long-term shift rather than the immediate replacement of human labor on loading docks.
AI for forecasting and global operations
Alongside robotics, FedEx is using artificial intelligence to enhance its data and forecasting capabilities. Subramaniam said that the company is training AI systems on information from its global network, which handles 17 million daily deliveries around the world. He said the goal is to improve accuracy for customers and better predict delivery times.
He became the second chief executive in the company’s history when he took the role in 2022. FedEx’s stock has risen by approximately 11% during the past year, reflecting investor confidence in the broader strategy.
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Industry tests humanoid robots at scale
Multiple companies in e-commerce and logistics have begun experimenting with humanoid designs in warehouse settings. GXO’s Chief Automation Officer told Business Insider in August that the company was “going really broad and aggressive on the category.” Meanwhile, Amazon has a fleet of more than 750,000 robots that support picking, packing and transport between warehouse stations, and a Morgan Stanley note projected that automation could save the company $10billion annually by 2030.
Some industry leaders, however, have questioned whether humanoids might be the best fit. Boston Dynamics’ CTO said in a 2023 interview with TechCrunch that the human shape might not be the most suitable for warehouse tasks.
