AI tools help delivery, e-commerce firms cope with holiday demand

Logistics providers using robotic arms, route-planning tools to support deliveries

- Timothy Goh

Delivery vendor DHL Express has an AI-powered robotic arm installed at its sorting facility in Singapore that can sort more than 1,000 small parcels an hour with 99 per cent accuracy. The company is expecting parcel volumes to grow by about 20 per cent from the previous quarter because of the holiday season. PHOTO: DHL EXPRESS

(DHL EXPRESS)

Online shopping activity and international mail are growing ahead of the year-end holidays, and delivery firms are preparing for yet another peak in parcel volumes this December.

To cope with the surge in demand, they are relying on artificial intelligence-based tools, while e-commerce platforms are running their annual year-end campaigns to draw shoppers.

Delivery vendor DHL Express has an Al-powered robotic arm installed at its sorting facility in Singapore that can sort more than 1,000 small parcels an hour with 99 per cent accuracy.

“Our ongoing investments in robotics and automation are especially vital to support the surge in volume this peak season,” said Mr Christopher Ong, managing director of DHL Express Singapore.

“Our courier’s device also has inbuilt route optimisation intelligence and they can maximise their route productivity and ensure they deliver the parcels to our customers on time.”

Mr Ong said that the company is expecting parcel volumes to grow by about 20 per cent from the previous quarter thanks to the holiday season.

He did not comment on whether DHL Express will increase hiring for the year-end surge.

Fellow delivery company FedEx Singapore also has an Al-powered robotic sortation arm at its South Pacific Regional Hub at Changi Airport.

It can process up to 1,000 packages an hour for deliveries to 100 destinations.