Chief information officers at logistics companies like DHL Supply Chain North America and GXO Logistics Inc. are increasing investments in robots designed to move inventory around warehouses, but not all robots are up to the task yet, they say. GXO Logistics said it expects to be using more than 5,800 robots globally by the end of this year, up from 3,800 last year, while Kenco Logistics Services LLC plans to leverage roughly 120, up from 30 last year. Warehouse robots from Locus Robotics at a DHL Supply Chain facility. Photo: DHL Supply ChainAmid the robotics ramp-up, CIOs admit that the technology is not always more efficient than human workers or more cost effective. While warehouse robotic technology is mature in some areas, such as transporting goods from point A to point B, it is less mature in terms of picking up and placing down goods, tech leaders say.

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