Humanoid robots tested in German warehouse signal potential shift in logistics staffing

Accenture, Vodafone Procure & Connect and SAP have been testing humanoid robots in a live warehouse environment in Germany, in an effort to show how physical AI could alter logistics operations and future staffing models.

The pilot took place at Vodafone Procure & Connect’s warehouse in Duisburg, where the robots were assigned inspection work through SAP Extended Warehouse Management and then moved autonomously through the facility, carrying out visual checks. Acc...

ording to the companies, the machines were able to spot safety concerns and operational bottlenecks, with their findings fed directly back into SAP’s system for immediate review.

SAP handled the integration with the warehouse software, while Accenture developed the robot intelligence and the operational framework around the trial. The companies say the exercise is designed not only to improve efficiency and safety, but also to give Vodafone evidence on how a humanoid workforce might be deployed at scale in the future.

The results of the test are due to be unveiled at Hannover Messe 2026, where SAP is expected to showcase a wider set of AI-led manufacturing and supply chain tools.

Source: Noah Wire Services