CEVA Logistics and Zalando deploy AI-powered robots for returns handling

CEVA Logistics, Zalando and Sereact have launched AI-powered robotic systems to automate fashion returns at logistics facilities in Germany and Poland.

The systems are now operating at sites in Greven, Germany, and Świebodzin, Poland. They use dual-arm robots to identify, handle and sort returned fashion items.

The deployment marks the first operational phase of a wider partnership to expand automated returns processing across Europe.

AI robots automate complex returns handling

The robots use Cortex, Sereact’s Physical AI platform, to handle different types of returned products.

Unlike conventional robotic systems, the technology can identify and grasp previously unseen items. It does not require separate training for each product or fixed stock-keeping unit (SKU) profiles.

This capability is particularly important for fashion returns. Items often arrive in different conditions, with irregular packaging and unpredictable handling requirements.

As a result, traditional automation systems can struggle to process these products without human intervention.

The new systems aim to reduce repetitive manual tasks while supporting warehouse employees in more specialised roles.

These include quality control, station supervision and handling exceptions that require human decisions.

CEVA introduces Robotics-as-a-Service model

The robots are being deployed through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.

This approach allows the partners to introduce robotic capabilities as a service rather than relying solely on traditional equipment ownership.

“One of the toughest challenges is returns handling, due to its extreme operational nature and scale, unpredictable volumes, manual quality checks, seasonality, value decay, and a disproportionately high cost per unit,” said Chris Walton, SVP Contract Logistics at CEVA Logistics.

The partnership also supports Zalando’s wider investment in logistics automation.

In July 2026, the online fashion retailer joined Sereact’s Series B funding round as a strategic investor.

The three companies are now working to expand the technology across their shared European logistics network.

Further automation planned across Europe

The initial deployment represents a step toward broader use of AI-powered robotics in e-commerce fulfillment operations.

According to Sereact, the ability to process unfamiliar products is essential for automating returns at scale.

“Returns are the hardest manipulation problem in fashion logistics. If a system only works on articles it has seen before, it does not work in a returns operation at all,” said Dr. Ralf Gulde, CEO and Co-Founder of Sereact.

The companies have not disclosed the number of robots deployed or specific productivity improvements achieved so far.

However, the launch moves the technology into live warehouse operations, providing a foundation for further automation across European fulfillment facilities.

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