Japanese firm Yusen Logistics is using technology from New York-based robotics firm Destro as part of its ongoing investment in intelligent warehouse technologies.

Transload operations are among the most demanding workflows in logistics. Freight must move quickly through inbound receiving, staging, dock operations and outbound shipping while teams respond to changing freight volumes, labour availability and delivery requirements. Maintaining speed, accuracy and flexibility requires real-time coordination across people, equipment and material movement.

Yusen is deploying Destro’s AI-powered platform to help coordinate these activities in real time. The technology continuously analyses warehouse conditions and helps optimise work assignments for employees and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), improving throughput while reducing manual coordination. The platform also provides real-time operational visibility that supports faster decision-making, safer operations and more consistent execution.

The initial deployment focuses on optimising cart movements within Yusen’s transload operations. As the collaboration evolves, Yusen plans to evaluate additional automation capabilities, including pallet movement and AI-powered workflow verification, as part of its broader strategy to enhance warehouse productivity while maintaining flexibility.

“Yusen Logistics is committed to investing in technologies that strengthen our operations and create measurable value for our customers,” said Rick Brunelle, director for Yusen in the Americas. “Automation is most effective when it helps our people work smarter while improving service, reliability, and operational performance. This collaboration supports our strategy of combining experienced associates with advanced technology to deliver faster, safer and more consistent transload operations.”

Manthan Pawar, CEO of Destro, added: “Today’s warehouses require more than automation. They require intelligent coordination across every part of the operation. Together, we’re demonstrating how intelligent collaboration between people and robotics can improve warehouse performance while remaining flexible as business needs evolve.”

Headquartered in Tokyo, Yusen Logistics (www.yusen-logistics.com) has more than 30,000 employees in over 733 locations across 47 countries. Its services span international freight forwarding, contract logistics, land transportation and end-to-end supply chain management.

Destro (www.destroai.com) is a physical AI platform that unlocks complex workflows for warehouse operations. Its technology observes warehouse state, plans, simulates and executes work across mobile manipulators and AMRs, enabling end-to-end warehouse workflows in real time and unlocking automation beyond isolated robotic tasks.