Lidl Stiftung & Co. said it sees great potential in implementing automation in its logistics processes. The Neckarsulm, Germany-based supermarket operator this month said it plans to integrate 22 Stretch robots from Boston Dynamics Inc. in the coming year.
“The Stretch robot from the renowned provider Boston Dynamics is an important component and delivers a high, predictable throughput rate,” a company spokesperson told Automated Warehouse. “This allows us to precisely plan subsequent logistics processes, thereby further increasing the resilience of our supply chains.”
One of the leading food retailers in Europe, Lidl operates about 12,600 stores and more than 230 goods distribution and logistics centers in 31 countries. The Schwarz Group unit said it employs more than 382,400 people and had sales of €132.1 billion ($155.4 billion U.S.) in fiscal year 2024.
Stretch passes throughput tests
Lidl said it decided to roll out Waltham, Mass.-based Boston Dynamics‘ robots after successful tests that began last September. Stretch uses a vacuum-based gripping arm and intelligent image recognition to automate the unloading of shipping containers.
The company added that it was impressed with the mobile manipulator‘s mobility and flexibility, which it said represent the state of the art.
“With the Stretch robot, we were regularly able to exceed the required performance of 500 cartons per hour and are even capable of achieving unloading performances of 600 cartons per hour,” noted Lidl. “This is also due to the robot having a battery life of up to 16 hours, allowing for permanent deployment.”
“The tests and the cooperation with Boston Dynamics were so convincing that we are transferring the pilot operation into regular operation,” stated Matthias Oppitz, chief operating officer at Lidl International.
“This makes it clear: We quickly evaluate robotics solutions, select the best partners, and consistently roll out successful concepts,” he added. “We are in close exchange with Boston Dynamics and other partners to find the best solutions for our logistics.”
Lidl to roll out robots across its network
Lidl is already using Stretch at its e-commerce warehouse in Venlo, Netherlands. The company said it plans to integrate the Stretch robots into the regular operations of more import warehouses in the Netherlands and Belgium by May 2026.
In addition, Lidl said it will use robotics as “a standard solution” in Austria and Spain by the middle of next year.
Truck and trailer unloading is an increasingly popular task to automate. In May 2025, DHL Group signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy more than 1,000 Stretch robots by 2030.
Earlier this month, United Parcel Service Inc. said it plans to invest $120 million to acquire around 400 unloading systems from Pickle Robot Co.