DHL Supply Chain has begun its robot innovations by running a pilot test using technology from French company EffiBOT.

This is for an automated order picking operation in Unna in Germany, reports Logistics Manager.

In terms of the robot itself, it's an automated trolley, which will follow human staff - who are known as pickers - through the warehouse. The aim of the trolley is to eliminate most of the physical work for staff, which will hopefully result in less injuries and more efficient working days.

During the pilot test, two robots supported the work of the warehouse's pickers by carrying objects and dropping off orders.

Other robots will be used for collaborative services, such as co-packing and mobile piece picking, which will navigate through the warehouse.

Michael Artinger, site manager for DHL Supply Chain, said: "The picking cart follows the picker through the rack system. Once it reaches full capacity, the picker simply sends it to the designated drop-off location, while another picking cart joins."