FedEx Bets on Robot Partnerships to Win the Warehouse War
The warehouse automation race is heating up, and FedEx has made its move. Rather than building robots from the ground up like some competitors, the $84 billion shipping giant is leaning hard into strategic partnerships with specialized robotics companies. The result is a calculated, people-first automation strategy that is already rolling out in real warehouses this year.
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| Credit: FedEx |
Why FedEx Is Not Building Its Own Robots
When it comes to automation, not every company is taking the same road. While some industry players have invested heavily in developing proprietary robotic fleets entirely in-house, FedEx has arrived at a different conclusion after years of experimentation. The company does build certain technologies internally, including sensor systems used for package tracking. But according to FedEx's Vice President of Advanced Technology and Innovation, developing sensor hardware is complicated on its own — robotics capabilities are next level. Partnering with companies already deep in the field allows FedEx to move faster and smarter. This is not a sign of weakness. It is a strategic choice backed by experience, failed experiments, and a clear-eyed understanding of where the company's strengths actually lie.
Meet Scoop: The Robot Taking on One of the Hardest Jobs in Logistics
One of the most physically punishing jobs in any FedEx warehouse is bulk package unloading — pulling large bundles of multiple parcels out of a truck at once. It is repetitive, physically demanding, and carries real injury risk for human workers. That is exactly the kind of job FedEx is targeting first with automation. In partnership with Berkshire Grey, a robotics company owned by SoftBank, FedEx co-developed a robot called Scoop specifically designed for bulk unloading. The collaboration was not quick. FedEx's Director of Advanced Technology and Innovation, Stephanie Cook, made clear this was a multi-year journey, not something that could be rushed. The company tried before and could not find an off-the-shelf solution that met its needs. Single-pick robots exist, but they are too slow and too limited for the volume and variety FedEx handles daily. Scoop will begin rolling out through a pilot program at select warehouses later in 2026, with plans to scale if the results hold up.
The Logic Behind Targeting Repetitive, Dangerous Jobs First
FedEx is not automating randomly. The company has a deliberate priority list, starting with roles that are the most physically demanding, most repetitive, and most prone to injury. This approach makes sense from multiple angles — repetitive tasks are more predictable, which makes them easier to automate reliably. Removing humans from the most dangerous roles also reduces injury risk and turnover in some of the hardest positions to keep filled. Cook emphasized that the goal is not to replace workers entirely but to move them into higher-skilled, less dangerous roles. Technology has to be designed to work alongside people, making their jobs easier while keeping them safe. Bulk unloading fits this model well because, unlike robotic picking, it involves fewer granular decisions per action — a more practical starting point for automation without sacrificing speed.
A Network of Robotics Partnerships Already in Motion
Berkshire Grey is far from FedEx's only external robotics partner. The company has been quietly assembling a network of specialized collaborations across different parts of its operation. Inside the warehouse, FedEx works with Dexterity, a unicorn startup known for building robots with a human-like touch capable of handling packages in ways standard industrial machines cannot replicate. The company also has a deal with Nimble, another unicorn, focused on building fully autonomous warehouse environments. On the road, FedEx has been running autonomous trucking loads with Aurora Innovation since 2021 on defined routes in Texas — a partnership that has since expanded to complete more than 3,200 autonomous loads. Not every partnership has lasted, which is a reminder that even well-funded startups can pivot, and collaborations in this space carry real risk.
The Lesson From the SameDay Bot That Got Kicked Out of New York City
FedEx has its own cautionary tale about moving too fast on automation. Back in 2019, the company developed and launched the SameDay Bot, a sidewalk delivery robot intended to handle last-mile package delivery directly to doors. The reception was mixed at best, and the bots eventually drew enough pushback that former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio barred them from operating on city sidewalks. FedEx eventually walked away from the project, though the company has been clear that last-mile automation remains a long-term priority. That experience reinforces why FedEx is taking a slower, more deliberate approach this time. Technology that is impressive in a demonstration but fails in the real world does not solve business problems — it creates new ones.
Why FedEx Is Skeptical About Humanoid Robots Right Now
Humanoid robots are generating enormous excitement across the tech industry, with high-profile companies racing to deploy them in warehouses and industrial settings. FedEx is watching closely but is not rushing in. Skaaksrud acknowledged the potential while being direct about the limitations — orchestrating multiple humanoids in a limited, highly dynamic space is extraordinarily difficult. The hype around humanoid robots is very high right now, but setting realistic expectations matters. For FedEx, the question is always fit for purpose. A robot that generates buzz at a tech conference but creates chaos on a warehouse floor is not a solution. The company is focused on productive technology that solves real business problems, not the next shiny thing.
Automation as a Long-Term Network Play
One of the more counterintuitive aspects of FedEx's strategy is its comfort with not owning the robots it deploys. Skaaksrud made the argument clearly: the hardware is just hardware. FedEx trucks are just trucks. What makes FedEx valuable is the intelligence, logistics network, and operational expertise behind the delivery system. That framing redefines what automation means for a company of this scale. The goal is not to become a robotics manufacturer — it is to integrate the best available technology into an already powerful network, letting specialist partners handle the technical heavy lifting while FedEx focuses on deployment, optimization, and scale. It is a strategy built for a world where robotics technology is advancing faster than any single company can track alone.
What Comes Next for FedEx Warehouse Automation
The Scoop pilot rollout later in 2026 will be a significant test of how well this partnership model translates into real-world results. If bulk unloading can be automated reliably at scale across FedEx's thousands of warehouse doors, it opens the door for broader adoption of similar systems. More broadly, FedEx's approach offers a practical blueprint for large logistics companies navigating the automation era without the resources of a tech giant. Strategic partnerships, a focus on high-ROI use cases, a commitment to worker safety, and a healthy skepticism of hype are not glamorous principles — but they may be exactly what it takes to get automation right. The warehouse war is just getting started, and FedEx is playing a long game.
