GXO Logistics Inc. this week said it will expand its partnership with Apptronik. The company signed a letter of intent to expand development of Apptronik technology for deployment at scale.
The partners are working toward global rollout of up to 1,000 Apollo humanoid robots over the next four years. This is subject to the success of the deployments and the ability to meet agreed-upon performance, safety, and operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
“Humanoid robots are the latest evolution of intelligent automation, and their increasing dexterity will make them one of the most transformative applications of physical AI in logistics,” stated GXO CEO Patrick Kelleher. “GXO has deep experience turning advanced automation into operational value at scale. Our expanded work with Apptronik builds on that expertise as we identify and scale the applications where humanoids can deliver the greatest impact for our customers and team members.”
Under the agreement, Apptronik said that it and GXO will expand joint trials of Apollo in live operations across a range of warehouse workflows. These include goods-to-person (G2P) and person-to-goods picking, case and tote movement, packing, and sortation, according to the company.
“We started working with GXO in 2024, and through our partnership, we’re defining what it takes to put humanoid robots to work in logistics — measured against real operational KPIs in live facilities and delivering real value,” said Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik.
“GXO has the network and the operating discipline to take this technology to real scale, across one of the largest logistics footprints in the world,” he added. “Our expanded partnership with GXO shows what’s possible when you pair a leading logistics provider with robots designed from the start for thoughtful collaboration with people.”
How does GXO plan to scale deployments?
Beginning in 2027, the trials will validate the safety, security, and technical requirements for scaled deployment. The companies will assess and sequence each use case against jointly agreed productivity, safety and operational KPIs. GXO and Apptronik also aim to demonstrate how humanoids can work alongside existing automation and GXO team members.
Initial deployments are planned for North America in late 2027. The commercial framework is expected to follow a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model. This will allow GXO to scale humanoid deployment through a flexible, service-based offering.
GXO and Apptronik’s partnership began in 2024 with a proof-of-concept program. This enabled the companies to develop practical applications for the Apollo humanoid in a warehouse environment.
Earlier this year, Apollo wrapped a successful pilot deployment with GXO in the U.S. focused on autonomous picking for small consumer goods. Additionally, Apptronik and GXO have conducted data collection and live autonomous evaluations on more than 50 different logistics tasks in Apptronik’s Robot Park training facility.
Apollo is designed to perform repetitive, physically demanding tasks in warehouse environments. The companies said they expect the technology to help address labor availability, improve throughput and uptime, and enable employees to focus on higher-value activities.
GXO has a long track record of testing and scaling advanced automation, robotics, and AI such as Reflex Robotics’ humanoid across its global network. The expanded relationship with Apptronik paves the way for humans and humanoids to work together at scale.
Last month, GXO expanded its partnership with Agility Robotics, another humanoid robot developer. The company plans to deploy Digit in GXO sites in North Carolina and Tennessee.
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