The robotic system, designed to streamline warehouse operations, includes AI-powered software, a cross-platform web interface, custom-built transportation cages and rack-carrying robots equipped with obstacle-detection technology. According to DPD, the robots are capable of transporting racks weighing up to 1,100 lbs and can increase warehouse productivity by as much as five times.
The partnership emerged from DPD’s EcoLaunchpad programme, which aims to identify innovative technologies that support the company’s sustainability goals. Deus Robotics was selected from a pool of over 100 global applicants to trial its solution within a live DPD operational setting.
The deployment of warehouse automation is part of DPD’s wider effort to reduce emissions and reach Net Zero by 2040. The target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As of the end of 2024, DPD UK had achieved a 47.5% reduction in overall emissions compared to its 2020 baseline.
Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability at DPDgroup UK, said: “The next part of that journey will require much more than just decarbonising fleet. We have to challenge ourselves on every aspect of the operation and think about technologies that aren’t currently widely adopted or sitting ‘on the shelf’ already.”
Deus Robotics’ system is designed to enable warehouse staff to focus on higher-level and less physically demanding tasks, while the robots take over autonomous goods transport and rack movement.
DPD operates more than 10,000 vehicles across 85 locations in the UK, delivering over 360 million parcels annually. The company’s fleet currently includes 35% electric vans, while 95% of its HGVs run on biofuel.
