C.H. Robinson deploys AI to slash missed LTL pickups

C.H. Robinson has launched a new generation of AI agents designed to tackle one of the most persistent problems in less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping: missed pickups.

The logistics provider says the technology is already delivering major efficiency gains by automating the detection and resolution of failed pickups, reducing manual work, and helping carriers optimize their operations.

According to the company, the AI system has automated 95% of missed-pickup checks, saving more than 350 hours of manual labor per day. Shipments are now moving up to a full day faster, while unnecessary return trips have dropped by 42%.

A Costly Industry Problem

Missed pickups are a chronic issue in LTL networks, where a single truck may collect freight from up to 20 different shippers before delivering it to a terminal for re-sorting.

“When a pickup fails, it doesn’t just delay one shipment — it disrupts the entire network,” said Greg West, Vice President for LTL at C.H. Robinson. “It creates a domino effect for other freight and forces extra truck trips that waste time, fuel and capacity.”

C.H. Robinson, which moves more LTL freight than any other 3PL in North America, says the new system is already resolving hundreds of shipments per day across more than 11,000 customers.

How the AI Works

The solution uses two AI agents working together. One contacts carriers to investigate missed pickups, while the second analyzes the responses and decides the next action — whether to reschedule, retender, or confirm that the freight is already moving.

Because the agents can make hundreds of calls and decisions simultaneously, the company says missed pickups are now resolved far faster than through manual processes.

The system also generates new data that C.H. Robinson shares with carriers daily, helping them identify terminal-level issues, improve electronic communications, and optimize schedules.

Lean AI in Action

Mark Albrecht, Vice President for Artificial Intelligence, said the project reflects C.H. Robinson’s “Lean AI” strategy, which focuses on applying automation only where it delivers measurable business value.

“We don’t use AI for experimentation alone,” Albrecht said. “We deploy it where it eliminates waste, accelerates workflows, and improves outcomes for customers.”

The missed-pickup agents now join more than 30 AI agents already in use at C.H. Robinson, which also handle LTL pricing, order processing, freight classification, shipment tracking and proof of delivery.

As LTL volumes grow and networks become more complex, the company says its AI-driven approach is helping shippers and carriers move freight faster, reduce costs, and gain earlier visibility across the supply chain.