Yusen Logistics and Pickle Robot collaborate to streamline container unloading

Listen to this article

Several companies have partnered to automate the tedious and strenuous task of loading and unloading trucks and containers. Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc. today announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Pickle Robot Co.

The companies have started by integrating Pickle Unload Systems at Yusen’s Contract Logistics Group transloading operation in Long Beach, Calif. They said the robots will not only ease the workload for employees but also enhance service reliability.

“We are thrilled about this partnership with Pickle Robot Co.,” said John Rae, vice president of operations at Yusen’s Contract Logistics Group, in a release. “It aligns with our commitment to innovation, improving our employees’ work environment, and delivering exceptional service to our customers.”

Yusen Logistics unloads 200k containers annually

Yusen Logistics provides ocean and air freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution services, and supply chain management. The company said it offers logistics services and consulting, including “end-to-end” supply chain management, with Kaizen-based performance improvement.

In the logistics industry, transloading — the manual unloading of huge amounts of cargo from ocean containers — is strenuous, dirty, occasionally hazardous, and increasingly challenging for employees. Pickle Robot said it address these issues with reliable automation for unloading trailers and containers.

“The pilot program is ideal, considering the substantial 200,000+ ocean freight containers we transload annually,” stated Rae. “That level of volume demands automation solutions to help us reduce the amount of physically demanding, labor-intensive tasks for our team members. The Pickle Robot Unload System is a game-changer that will revolutionize our operations.”

Yusen’s network includes more than 681 offices and more than 25,000 employees in 47 countries and regions worldwide. Secaucus, N.J.-based Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc. has 1,900 employees and 40 operational sites in the U.S., with over 8 million sq. ft. of warehouse capacity.

Two Pickle Robots on the dock at Yusen Logistics Transload Operation. Source: Pickle Robot

Pickle Robot provides unloading robots as a service

Pickle Robot began working alongside Yusen associates in September, focusing on processing import freight at the Long Beach transload facility. The logistics provider is deploying Pickle Unload Systems following a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model.

The companies said this allows Yusen Logistics to immediately benefit from real-world implementations while gaining early access to Pickle Robot capabilities as they develop.

“Yusen Logistics has a fantastic application for Pickle robots because a meaningful portion of their freight is robot eligible today, and there is instant access to just about any type of freight you can imagine as we roll out new capabilities,” said AJ Meyer, founder and CEO of Pickle Robot.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner,” he said. “The number of containers and the breadth of merchandise Yusen processes daily is astounding, and their team is game to see how far and how fast we can unlock even more value for them as we execute our product roadmap.”

Cambridge, Mass.-based Pickle Robot said it has focused on automating trailer and container unloading in distribution environments using generative AI, machine learning, computer vision, advanced sensors, and industrial robotics. The company claimed that its robots work with people on loading docks to make truck unloading safer, faster, and more efficient.

Other companies working on robots for loading and unloading trucks include Boston Dynamics, Dexterity, Dextrous Robotics, Gideon, Mujin, and VisionNav Robotics.