Logistics Robots [7 Insights] Driving Future Supply Chains

Introduction

On September 19, 2025, Lukas Ziegler posted a striking video on X (formerly Twitter) showing hundreds of orange logistics robots moving in sync across a warehouse floor. More than just a viral clip, this moment illustrates a global shift in how goods are picked, packed, and transported. With logistics robotics already a $10–15 billion industry in 2024 and projected to reach $40–110 billion by 2035, the future of supply chains is being rewritten by automation.

🧵 Logistics robots are quietly eating the global supply chain.

From warehouse aisles to outbound docks, automation is no longer experimental.

Tens of thousands are already picking, packing, and moving goods at scale.

And the next 10 years will decide who leads, and who’s left… pic.twitter.com/bZXGgdFkSj

— Lukas Ziegler (@lukas_m_ziegler) September 19, 2025

1. Market Growth at Record Speed

According to Ziegler’s analysis, logistics robotics is growing at an annual rate of 15–20%. This trajectory places it among the fastest-growing industries, driven by rising e-commerce demand and labor shortages.

2. Robots Already at Scale

Unlike early experiments, robots are now operational at massive scale. Amazon alone has deployed over 1 million robots since 2012, using them for tasks ranging from moving pods to sorting and packaging.

By application: “pick & place,” sorting, packing, and transportation inside warehouses are already dominant.

Segments like mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are growing fastest.

Hardware still makes up most revenue, but software + AI is catching up. pic.twitter.com/EyXiziiFvi

— Lukas Ziegler (@lukas_m_ziegler) September 19, 2025

3. Advanced Applications Beyond Transport

Robotics is not limited to carrying items. Key applications include:

• Pick & Place
• Sorting
• Packing
• Truck loading and unloading

Companies like Dexterity and Locus Robotics are at the forefront, integrating human-like dexterity and human-robot collaboration.

4. Warehouse Innovation Across Industries

Luxury and sportswear brands such as PUMA and Gucci are adopting space-saving warehouse systems powered by robotics. These innovations reduce operational costs while improving throughput.

5. Benefits Beyond Efficiency

Robotics adoption isn’t only about speed. The technology promises:

• Reduced lead times
• Significant labor cost savings
• Improved workplace safety
• Environmental sustainability through energy-efficient operations

Amazon has 1 000 000+ robots in their fulfillment centers since 2012.

Robots are not just moving pods (the ones from Kiva), they do sorting (Sequoia), packaging, lift & transport, item-level handling.

Automation is central to reducing costs and meeting delivery promises. pic.twitter.com/Jpz2oLYemv

— Lukas Ziegler (@lukas_m_ziegler) September 19, 2025

6. Key Players Shaping the Landscape

• Amazon – Global leader in warehouse robotics
• Dexterity – Human-like robots for truck operations
• Locus Robotics – Collaborative robots boosting worker efficiency
• Emerging startups – Building orchestration platforms integrating AI, software, and hardware

7. The Future: Orchestration Platforms

Ziegler predicts that future leaders will no longer view robots as isolated tools but as comprehensive orchestration platforms combining AI, data, hardware, and logistics software. This holistic approach will separate winners from laggards in global supply chains.

FAQs

Q1. What are logistics robots used for?
They handle picking, packing, sorting, and transporting goods in warehouses and distribution centers.

Q2. Which industries use logistics robots?
E-commerce, retail, fashion, manufacturing, and even luxury brands like PUMA and Gucci.

Q3. How big is the logistics robotics market?
Valued at $10–15 billion in 2024, projected to grow up to $110 billion by 2035.

Q4. Are logistics robots replacing human workers?
Not entirely. Many systems, like Locus Robotics, work alongside humans to boost productivity and reduce physical strain.

Conclusion

The viral video shared by Lukas Ziegler isn’t just a social media moment—it is a window into the future of global logistics. From Amazon’s million-plus robot fleet to PUMA’s warehouse innovations, robotics is evolving from experimental novelty to industry standard.

Opinion

While the benefits of robotics—efficiency, safety, cost reduction—are undeniable, the deeper question is how humanity integrates this transformation. If automation grows unchecked, what happens to millions of warehouse jobs? Can orchestration platforms balance human dignity with machine precision? Perhaps the true challenge lies not in building smarter robots but in shaping smarter policies, education systems, and social contracts. The future of supply chains may be robotic, but the future of societies must remain deeply human.