Active Ants, part of bpostgroup and specialized in automated fulfillment for web shops, deployed its first artificial intelligence-controlled robot arm at its German branch in Dorsten. The robot arm can process up to 600 parcels per hour and learns from its mistakes.
The new robot arm was developed by the German technology company Sereact and represents a milestone in the further automation of e-commerce logistics. Thanks to the integration of AI, the robot can independently retrieve products from autostore storage and pack them accurately, with a margin of error of only 0.01%. By continuously processing new products, the system automatically improves itself.
According to Bram Blondé, Deputy CEO 3PL at bpostgroup, the use of artificial intelligence is a logical next step: “With the introduction of this AI robot, an order can be picked and packed within 15 minutes without human intervention, while maintaining the highest quality.”
Sereact CEO Ralf Gulde emphasizes that the combination of AI and robotics is fundamentally changing the way fulfillment companies work. “By integrating our technology at Active Ants, we demonstrate how flexible automation can adapt to complex logistics processes, with greater efficiency and less physical burden.”
Second robot arm in Roosendaal
After the successful test in Dorsten, a second robot arm has now been installed in the Active Ants warehouse in Roosendaal, the Netherlands. The company is exploring further expansions in the short term.
Active Ants is part of bpostgroup’s 3PL division, together with Radial and Staci. The group develops integrated logistics solutions for both consumer and business markets. In recent years, Bpostgroup has grown into an international player in parcel logistics with activities in Europe, North America and Asia. More than half of the group’s turnover today comes from international activities.
