C.H. Robinson leverages generative AI to automate the entire lifecycle of freight shipments
6 days ago
C.H. Robinson leverages generative AI to automate the entire lifecycle of freight shipments
C.H. Robinson has introduced proprietary technology powered by generative AI, automating tasks that were traditionally managed by people and streamlining the entire freight shipment process. This innovative system processes incoming emails, replicating human decision-making to automate various stages of the shipment lifecycle ranging from price quotations and load acceptance to scheduling pickups and deliveries, and even tracking shipments during transit.
“We began using this technology in May to handle emailed price requests, and within just a few months, we've developed new models to automate even more shipment processes, implementing them at scale,” said Arun Rajan, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at C.H. Robinson.
“This is a game-changer for the logistics industry and global supply chains. Retailers needing hundreds of products on shelves or automakers relying on just-in-time delivery of thousands of parts can now save valuable hours and minutes on each shipment,” he added.
Historically, email transactions required manual intervention, while direct integrations with C.H. Robinson’s platform were automatically processed. Now, more than 10,000 daily email transactions are fully automated, offering email-based shippers the same speed and cost benefits as those using direct integrations, and allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks.
"Emails can vary from simple load tenders like ‘I have a load for Tuesday,’ to complex documents with multiple loads and handwritten notes,” explained Mark Albrecht, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at C.H. Robinson.
Initially focused on automating price quotes, C.H. Robinson’s AI technology now tackles more complex tasks by integrating industry knowledge and specialized expertise. What once took up to four hours to process an emailed load tender can now be done in just 90 seconds.
“Previously, manually entering shipment details from emails could take an average of seven minutes per load. With generative AI, we can process 20 loads simultaneously in 90 seconds, saving an enormous amount of time,” Albrecht added.
The system now automates several key functions:
• Price Quotes: Generates 2,600 quotes daily in just 32 seconds, with expanded coverage from truckload to less-than-truckload (LTL) quotes.
• Load Tenders: Processes 5,500 email-based load tenders into shipment orders daily within 90 seconds.
• Appointments: Automates pick-up and delivery scheduling for 3,000 daily appointments across 26,000+ locations in just 60 seconds.
• In-Transit Visibility: When carrier updates are missed, generative AI directly contacts carriers, reducing the need for manual intervention.
This advanced AI-driven automation is significantly improving efficiency and scalability, further positioning C.H. Robinson as a leader in the freight logistics industry.
Source: Container News