DC Velocity - August 2019

24 DC VELOCITY AUGUST 2019 www.dcvelocity.com th o u g ht l ea d ers

B R I E CA R E R E

AWe are always working toward new solutions to meet he ever-changing needs of our customers, and all of that relies heavily on technology. We are on the cutting edge of all of the latest technologies—including AI, IoT, robotics, and blockchain—which makes FedEx an exciting place for technologists to work. Additionally, we have been consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in IT, which helps to attract and retain some of the best technology talent in the industry and beyond.

QSpeaking of technology, your Feb. 27 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” helped shine a light on how robotics, in particular, is changing the delivery process. Could you describe the SameDay Bot you unveiled on the show and the role you expect robotics to play in delivery over the next few years?

AThat was such a fun experience! FedEx is constantly innovating to meet the changing needs of our customers and increasing demands of e-commerce—and what a great way to showcase that innovation.

Local fulfillment is a growing market. There’s already a massive opportunity there, and it’s only going to accelerate.

The SameDay Bot will help address many of the challeng-
es associated with this increase in last-mile delivery. We
believe that the majority of FedEx same-day point-to-point
deliveries will be made using the FedEx SameDay Bot—
that’s what it’s designed for, and it’s the most efficient way
to do it. Logistics through autonomous devices can reduce
the number of vehicles on the road and ease traffic conges-
tion. Instead of using a full-sized vehicle, the smaller FedEx
bot can be used to deliver small payloads such as pizzas and
other on-demand merchandise—this is good for the envi-
ronment and for our company.

In terms of timing, we will begin testing later this summer and move as quickly as is reasonable to broader testing and commercial launch while continuing to meet safety, customer, and regulatory needs … We see the use of robotics and automation as an opportunity to improve the productivity of our team members and experts within our system, to make their jobs more comfortable and efficient, and above all, to increase safety.

QFinally, what one piece of advice would you give to a young woman considering a career in logistics? APlease don’t let preconceptions stand between you and a tremendous career! I’m so glad I didn’t. My career in global logistics has landed me in amazing places that I never would have predicted, including Thailand, India, Belgium, Germany, China—and just [recently], on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”!