LG CNS, LX Pantos partner on humanoid-powered smart logistics

LG CNS Executive Vice President Lee Jun-ho, fifth from right, and LX Pantos Executive Vice President Auh Jae-hyuck, fifth from left, pose after singing a memorandum of understanding at LG CNS' headquarters in Gangseo District, Seoul, June 1. Courtesy of LG CNS

LG CNS is teaming up with LX Pantos to pilot humanoid-driven automation in logistics operations, marking a step toward next-generation smart warehouses.

The company announced on Thursday that it has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with logistics provider LX Pantos to develop a robot-based smart logistics system and deploy it at LX Pantos’ logistics center in Cheongna, Incheon.

The partnership will integrate humanoid robots with shuttle robots to automate end-to-end warehouse operations, from inbound handling to sorting and outbound shipping.

LX Pantos, which operates more than 380 global logistics hubs, provides services spanning freight forwarding, contract logistics, last-mile delivery and e-commerce fulfillment, with end-to-end capabilities from transportation to warehousing and customs clearance.

“This agreement will serve as a proof-of-concept to validate the real-world applicability of robotics and integrated learning and operations platforms in logistics environments,” said Park Sang-kyun, head of the Telecommunication, Distribution and Service Division at LG CNS.

“With LX Pantos, we aim to enhance productivity and operational efficiency across logistics operations.”

Under the agreement, LG CNS will validate full-process automation across LX Pantos’ logistics workflows by linking humanoid robots with high-speed shuttle systems.

In a typical scenario, shuttle robots will retrieve outbound items from storage racks and deliver them to humanoid robots, which will then transfer the goods onto automated sorting systems or other robotic units. The sorted items are subsequently dispatched to their designated destinations.

To train the robots, LG CNS will leverage LX Pantos’ extensive operational data and use its proprietary robotics learning platform, PhysicalWorks Forge, while utilizing its integrated robot operations and control platform, PhysicalWorks Baton, for management and monitoring.

On the hardware side, the deployment will include wheel-based humanoid robots from U.S. robotics firm Dexmate, in which LG CNS invested in March, along with its in-house Mobile Shuttle robots.

The shuttle robots can travel at speeds of up to 1.5 meters per second within warehouse racks and carry loads of up to 1,500 kilograms.

Through the partnership, LG CNS aims to reduce repetitive manual tasks in logistics operations while creating a safer and more stable working environment.

The companies also plan to establish a demonstration facility in the second half of this year to showcase automation processes and explore commercialization opportunities for external clients.