FedEx is pushing the boundaries of warehouse automation with CEO Raj Subramaniam revealing ambitious plans for what he calls “super humanoid robots” equipped with multiple elbows and enhanced capabilities beyond standard humanoid designs. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Subramaniam outlined his vision for advanced robotics that can tackle the complex challenges of loading and unloading delivery trucks.
The FedEx chief executive explained that traditional humanoid robots simply won’t suffice for the company’s demanding warehouse operations. “Truck unloading and truck loading are a very difficult problem for robotics to solve — packages come in every size, shape, and weight,” Subramaniam stated, emphasizing the need for robots with “a couple of elbows” and “more degrees of freedom” to handle the diverse range of packages that flow through FedEx facilities daily.
The company is currently in the pilot stage for these advanced robots, with Subramaniam acknowledging they’re “not ready for prime time yet.” However, the initiative represents just one component of FedEx’s broader technology strategy. The logistics giant is also heavily investing in artificial intelligence, leveraging data from its massive operation of 17 million daily deliveries worldwide to train AI systems that can accurately predict delivery times for customers.
Subramaniam, who became FedEx’s second CEO in company history in 2022, is leading the transformation during a period of growth, with FedEx stock up approximately 11% over the past year. His vision aligns with broader industry trends, as competitors like Amazon and GXO are also testing humanoid robots in their warehouses.
Amazon has deployed over 750,000 robots in its fulfillment operations, assisting with picking, packing, and transporting packages. According to a Morgan Stanley analysis from February, these robots could potentially save Amazon $10 billion annually by 2030. GXO’s chief automation officer told Business Insider in August that the company was “going really broad and aggressive on the category.”
Interestingly, not everyone agrees that humanoid forms are optimal for warehouse tasks. Boston Dynamics’ CTO suggested in a 2023 TechCrunch interview that the human form might not be the most ideal design for robots completing warehouse operations, raising questions about the best approach to automation in logistics.
Key Quotes
Truck unloading and truck loading are a very difficult problem for robotics to solve — packages come in every size, shape, and weight.
FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam explained why standard robotics solutions are insufficient for the company’s warehouse operations, highlighting the complexity of handling diverse package types that require advanced robotic capabilities.
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.
Subramaniam articulated his vision for next-generation warehouse robots that go beyond traditional humanoid designs, emphasizing the need for enhanced flexibility and additional joints to handle complex manipulation tasks.
We’re not ready for prime time yet.
The FedEx CEO acknowledged that the company’s super humanoid robot initiative is still in the pilot stage, indicating that widespread deployment is still some time away despite active development efforts.
Going really broad and aggressive on the category.
GXO’s chief automation officer described their company’s approach to humanoid robotics in August, demonstrating that FedEx’s competitors are also pursuing aggressive automation strategies in the logistics sector.
Our Take
FedEx’s “super humanoid” vision represents a fascinating departure from the industry consensus on warehouse automation. While competitors rush to deploy existing humanoid robot designs, Subramaniam is essentially saying current technology isn’t good enough, demanding custom solutions with enhanced capabilities. This approach could either position FedEx as an innovation leader or leave them behind if competitors achieve efficiency gains with simpler solutions first. The tension between humanoid and specialized robot designs highlighted by Boston Dynamics’ skepticism suggests the industry hasn’t yet settled on optimal automation strategies. What’s particularly noteworthy is FedEx’s dual focus on physical robotics and AI-driven predictive analytics, recognizing that true competitive advantage comes from combining multiple AI technologies. The 17-million-deliveries-per-day dataset represents a massive training opportunity that could yield significant advantages in customer satisfaction and operational planning, potentially delivering value even before the super humanoid robots are ready.
Why This Matters
This story signals a critical inflection point in warehouse automation and AI adoption across the logistics industry. FedEx’s pursuit of “super humanoid robots” demonstrates how major corporations are moving beyond off-the-shelf automation solutions toward custom-designed robotic systems tailored to specific operational challenges. The integration of AI for predictive delivery analytics, trained on 17 million daily deliveries, showcases how logistics companies are leveraging massive datasets to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
The broader implications extend to workforce transformation, as increased automation in warehouses will inevitably reshape job requirements and potentially displace certain roles while creating new positions in robotics maintenance and AI system management. With industry giants like Amazon potentially saving $10 billion annually through robotics by 2030, the competitive pressure to automate is intensifying, forcing all logistics companies to invest heavily in AI and robotics or risk falling behind. This race toward automation also raises important questions about the optimal design for warehouse robots and whether humanoid forms truly represent the best solution, suggesting continued innovation and experimentation in this space.