DPD Tests Swarm Robots for the “Depot of the Future”

Autonomous vehicles that zip across the warehouse floor in swarms at speeds of up to ten meters per second and precisely drop off packages: What sounds like science fiction at first is already a reality at DPD in Depot 250 in Cologne-Porz. For a period of two weeks, so-called LoadRunners were tested under nearly real conditions for their practical suitability.

(Aschaffenburg/Cologne) The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics developed the autonomous transport vehicles. Together with the institute, the KION Group aims to bring the autonomous swarm robot to market readiness. In this exciting project, DPD acts as an industry partner in the practical test.

The LoadRunners represent a true revolution in intralogistics. These driverless transport vehicles are not only incredibly fast and agile, but they also set new standards in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). While they move independently within the logistical space, they still coordinate their transport routes among themselves and collaboratively solve transport tasks when needed. Each individual LoadRunner can transport and sort packages weighing between 200 grams and 31.5 kilograms, with a maximum edge length of 60 centimeters. This currently corresponds to about 60 to 65 percent of DPD’s package spectrum. However, if a LoadRunner ever needs assistance from its “colleagues,” multiple vehicles can quickly and easily connect and thus transport bulky packages to the desired destination within the depot as a team.

The High Speed is Fascinating

“The high speed and swarm intelligence of the LoadRunners are absolutely fascinating and therefore a real game changer for us. We are very pleased to have been able to accompany the first sorting trial as an industry partner in Cologne-Porz. And of course, there are already scenarios for how we can scale the LoadRunner model nationwide. But to be honest, we are still in a very early stage. Therefore, evaluating all the data and key figures we have gathered is our top priority,” said Lukas Bauer, Senior Group Manager Corporate Real Estate & Technology at DPD Germany.

Photo/Video DPD