Online retailer bol shares a glimpse of AI driven automation in logistics pilot with Sereact
bol, an online retailer in the Netherlands and Belgium, is testing out Sereact’s AI driven robots in its supply chain.
In a LinkedIn post, Sereact said: “At bol, one of Europe’s biggest e-commerce players, every second counts. With over 500,000 SKUs to handle in their warehouse in Waalwijk, they needed more than speed, they needed reliability and adaptability.”
“Together with bol’s logistics team, we deployed our AI driven robots in their toughest environment: a live, brownfield operation with complex integrations and unpredictable items. The results? Robots that can recognise and route items in real-time. Vision tech smart enough to skip items like bins with tricky labels and send them straight to reject. A system that doesn’t just automate, it learns.”
Hugo Driesse, Logistic Process Engineer at bol, commented: “We want to test with the robots in our real production area. That's why we put this robot here on our most difficult area with the most integrations and the most difficult handlings.”
“We're learning about the KPIs and what's possible with the robot because for future business cases it's important that you have the right numbers. With Sereact, it was arranged very quickly.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Automation was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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