CEVA to use robots from Boston Dynamics in Los Angeles facility

CEVA Logistics recently opened its 135,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art transload facility, and robots from Boston Dynamics will be used to serve customers at the site located within miles of Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles.

"The new transload site is the only transload facility in North America to offer a cross-belt sortation device, enabling 10,000 parcels to be sorted every hour based on preselected variables such as size, colour or preferred carrier. The facility caters to automotive, consumer retail and technology companies and was constructed with efficiency and velocity in mind," says a release from CEVA.

CEVA will be one of the first logistics companies in the country to leverage Boston Dynamics’ state-of-the-art Stretch robots to unload hundreds of boxes per hour, the release added. "The autonomous robots can operate continuously, improving efficiency and preventing safety concerns associated with using manual labour for the same process. Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot is also being used for security, patrolling the site. CEVA is also using One Network’s yard and warehouse management systems to ensure end-to-end visibility for its customers."

CEVA expects to process 26,000 floor-loaded containers during the facility’s first year in operation and to double its capacity within three years. Environmental initiatives, including rooftop solar panels and EV trucks powered by renewable energy sources, will be in service by January 2024, the release added.

“The addition of our Los Angeles transload facility demonstrates CEVA’s ongoing commitment to expanding our services in North America," says Ashfaque Chowdhury, Managing Director, North America, CEVA Logistics. "The new site builds on our robust network of warehouses across the continent, giving our customers more control and flexibility over their supply chains.”

Joshua Bowen, Global Head, ocean freight, CEVA Logistics adds: "We are proud to offer a new state-of-the-art transload facility near two of the busiest ports in the United States. CEVA’s ocean freight capabilities combine with our ground freight expertise to provide a fully optimised transload solution that offers our global customers more supply chain efficiency, thus improving their opportunity to capitalise on the North American market.”

Kevin Blankespoor, Senior Vice President and General Manager of warehouse robotics, Boston Dynamics says: “We’re excited to deploy our robots at CEVA’s new facility. Stretch is designed to safely and rapidly unload containers, which can be a difficult task to perform manually based on the height and weight of boxes as well as the often-high temperatures found inside containers. Stretch can reach boxes up to 50 pounds in weight, its vision system enables it to adapt to different stacking configurations, and it does not require any pre-programming. The robots are ready to go to work as soon as they arrive."