Sereact, Zalando and CEVA Logistics Start AI-Powered, Automated Returns Handling in Germany and Poland
The Robotics-as-a-Service systems will handle repetitive returns work and shift warehouse staff to supervision and quality checks, the companies said.
- On Wednesday, Sereact, Zalando, and CEVA Logistics launched AI-powered dual-arm robotic systems to process fashion returns at facilities in Greven, Germany, and Zwiebodzin, Poland.
- Returns are the 'hardest manipulation problem in fashion logistics' because items arrive crumpled and unique, Sereact chief executive Ralf Gulde said; Cortex software enables robots to sort unseen items without prior training.
- Zalando joined Sereact's Series B round as a strategic investor in July 2026, and the deployment utilizes a Robotics-as-a-Service model to scale automation across their shared European logistics footprint.
- By handling repetitive tasks, the robotic systems reduce physical strain on warehouse staff, who transition toward station supervision, exception management, and quality control roles.
- Zalando connects 62 million active customers with more than 7,000 brands across 29 markets, while managing its logistics footprint independently of recent facility closures in Germany, which were not linked to automation.
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12 Articles
Zalando Turns to AI Robots to Tame Fashion's Costly Returns Problem
Sereact's dual-arm robots powered by Cortex AI have entered live operations sorting Zalando fashion returns at CEVA sites in Germany and Poland. The deployment tackles high return volumes without per-item training. It signals broader European automation plans. (48 words)
Sereact’s two-armed robots start sorting Zalando returns in Europe
Robots from Stuttgart start-up Sereact are now sorting Zalando’s fashion returns in live operations in Germany and Poland. The two-armed machines work at CEVA Logistics sites in Greven, Germany, and Świebodzin, Poland, the three companies said on Wednesday. It is the first step of a plan to automate returns across Europe. Zalando joined Sereact’s Series […] This story continues at The Next Web
The Toronto Star
Sereact, Zalando and CEVA Logistics start AI-powered, automated returns handling in Germany and Poland
CEVA Logistics deploys Sereact’s AI-powered dual-arm robotic systems for Zalando returns handling at sites in Greven, Germany, and Świebodzin, Poland.Powered by Cortex, Sereact’s Physical AI platform, the systems autonomously grasp, identify, and sort fashion returns without requiring per-item training or…
Sereact, Zalando and CEVA put into operation two-armed robots to classify clothing returns in centres in Germany and Poland. The initiative seeks to automate a complex task due to the variety and unpredictable state of the garments. The companies describe deployment as staff support, not as proof that automation has caused plant closures.
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