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FedEx buys 150 electric delivery vehicles from BrightDrop

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FedEx has received its first 150 electric delivery vehicles from BrightDrop, the technology startup from General Motors de-carbonizing last-mile delivery.

This marks a critical milestone for FedEx as the company plans to transform its entire parcel pickup and delivery fleet to all-electric, zero-tailpipe emissions by 2040, and comes just months after BrightDrop’s commercialization of the Zevo 600 as the fastest vehicle to market in GM’s history.

Mitch Jackson, chief sustainability officer, FedEx, says: “At FedEx, we have ambitious sustainability goals, and our phased approach to vehicle electrification is a crucial part of our roadmap to achieve carbon neutral global operations. [Read more…] about FedEx buys 150 electric delivery vehicles from BrightDrop

FedEx installs sorting robot from DoraBot at e-commerce facility

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FedEx Express, a division of global logistics giant FedEx, has installed a sorting robot called “DoraSorter” from a company called DoraBot at one of its facilities in China.

Dorabot, a specialist robotics solution provider for logistics, launched DoraSorter – an AI-powered intelligent sorting robot – in collaboration with FedEx Express.

The sorting robot represents FedEx Express’ latest push in digitizing its operations and building a smart logistics network to handle the ever-growing volumes of e-commerce-related shipments in the region. [Read more…] about FedEx installs sorting robot from DoraBot at e-commerce facility

FedEx implements Berkshire Grey’s robotic system for small package processing

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FedEx Ground, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, has recently implemented Berkshire Grey’s Robotic Product Sortation and Identification (RPSi) systems at its station in Queens, New York.

Berkshire Grey, a developer of Intelligent Enterprise Robotics solutions, executed the RPSi systems to robotically sort the thousands of small packages that arrive daily in bulk into containers bound for other specific hubs and stations across the FedEx Ground network.

FedEx Ground plans to install additional Berkshire Grey RPSi systems at sortation facilities in Las Vegas, Nev., and Columbus, Ohio, in the coming months. [Read more…] about FedEx implements Berkshire Grey’s robotic system for small package processing

FedEx introduces robots to ‘most difficult’ job in sorting facility

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FedEx has installed industrial robotic arms to do what is considered the “most difficult” job to automate in a sorting facility in Memphis, USA. 

As shown in the Wall Street Journal video below, FedEx has integrated Yaskawa robots and software from Plus One Robotics into a robotic system that performs a task which involves picking up parcels or envelopes from a tray and placing them on a conveyor.

While this is a simple job for a human, automating this step in a warehouse has proved very difficult in the past. [Read more…] about FedEx introduces robots to ‘most difficult’ job in sorting facility

Webinar: How Robots Are Succeeding and Failing in the World of Logistics

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RoboBusiness Direct presents How Robots Are Succeeding and Failing in the World of Logistics

Featured Speaker: Aaron Prather, Senior Technical Advisor, FedEx

June 25, 2020 – 2:00 PM EST

Robotics systems are being introduced into the world of logistics at an increasing rate.

While some robotics systems and the companies employing them have achieved their goals, many other deployments have been unsuccessful. [Read more…] about Webinar: How Robots Are Succeeding and Failing in the World of Logistics

FedEx and Chanje to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure

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FedEx has now started on the “next phase” of its electric vehicle rollout after initially launching construction on electronic direct current charging stations back in January.

One of the biggest logistics companies in the US, Federal Express has been using all-electric vehicles as part of its pickup-and-delivery fleet for more than 10 years.

Through a new agreement with Chanje Energy, the company plans to electrify 42 FedEx stations in California, making it one of the largest deployments of integrated charging infrastructure by a single commercial fleet to date. [Read more…] about FedEx and Chanje to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure

FedEx to test Wing Aviation drone for Walgreens deliveries

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Wing Aviation, an Alphabet company, is collaborating with FedEx and pharmaceuticals retailer Walgreens to launch a first-of-its-kind drone delivery service in Christiansburg, Virginia next month.

The pilot program will demonstrate the many benefits of drone delivery to communities by exploring methods to enhance last-mile delivery service, improve access to health care products, and create a new avenue of growth for local businesses.

Drone delivery in the United States has historically been limited to small-scale demonstrations on designated test sites, or extremely short flights along pre-planned, fixed routes – all within the visual line of sight of the drone operator. [Read more…] about FedEx to test Wing Aviation drone for Walgreens deliveries

FedEx to use Dollar General stores for parcel drop-off and pick-up

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FedEx Corp. and Dollar General announced today a strategic alliance that will offer new, convenient access to FedEx drop-off and pickup services at thousands of Dollar General stores across the USA.

The effort is designed to increase access for all customers, particularly those living in rural communities.

FedEx and Dollar General plan to begin rolling out the service in more than 1,500 Dollar General stores in late summer 2019, building to a total of more than 8,000 stores by the end of 2020.

[Read more…] about FedEx to use Dollar General stores for parcel drop-off and pick-up

FedEx unveils ‘SameDay Bot’ for future home deliveries

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Logistics giant FedEx is developing what it describes as “cutting-edge delivery solutions” to meet the rapidly changing needs of consumers.

As part of that development, the company has unveiled the FedEx SameDay Bot – an autonomous delivery device prototype designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers. (See video below.)

With the bot, retailers will be able to accept orders from nearby customers and deliver them by bot directly to customers’ homes or businesses the same day.  [Read more…] about FedEx unveils ‘SameDay Bot’ for future home deliveries

FedEx acquires 1,000 Chanje electric vehicles

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FedEx Corp. is expanding its fleet to add 1,000 Chanje V8100 electric delivery vehicles, buying 100 of the vehicles from Chanje Energy Inc and leasing 900 from Ryder System, Inc.

The purpose-built electric vehicles will be operated by FedEx Express for commercial and residential pick-up and delivery services in the United States.

The vehicles are manufactured by FDG in Hangzhou, China, and purchased through Chanje Energy Inc., the company’s subsidiary for global business. Ryder System, Inc. will provide support services for all of the vehicles.

[Read more…] about FedEx acquires 1,000 Chanje electric vehicles