C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest logistics providers, has launched a cutting-edge AI agent designed to streamline the reclassification process for less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. This proprietary technology is poised to help shippers transition seamlessly to the revised classification standards-while underscoring the company’s ongoing leadership in AI-driven logistics innovation.
As the largest mover of LTL freight among all 3PLs in North America, C.H. Robinson is uniquely positioned to address the growing complexities of freight classification. This new AI agent automates the historically manual task of identifying the correct class and code for shipments-enhancing order accuracy, reducing delays, and preventing costly errors tied to misclassified freight.
“We have a fleet of over 30 AI agents performing tasks that had defied automation for decades,” said Arun Rajan, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. “Now we’re building AI agents that help our AI agents.”
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Simplifying Freight Classifications in a Complex LTL Landscape
In LTL shipping, where multiple shipments share the same truck, precise freight classification is essential. The NMFC system includes thousands of unique codes—used by carriers to estimate space, weight, and pricing—ranging from bulky machinery parts to boxed consumer goods. With sweeping changes to this system on the horizon, many shippers face uncertainty around how their freight should be categorized.
“Many LTL shippers are unaware or uncertain of the classification for their freight,” said Greg West, Vice President for LTL. “So when they email us a tender, the freight class and code might be missing or incorrect. This is bound to increase with the massive overhaul of the national LTL freight classification system. So we built an AI agent that determines the correct class and code for a shipment and assists another of our AI agents in turning that tender into an accurate order in our system.”
“Before generative AI, half of our LTL orders were automated by way of customers using our global shipper platform or direct connectivity between our tech and their tech. We have the freight classifications for those shippers baked into our system,” West said. “Where this new AI agent is particularly useful is assisting with orders for our small-to-medium business customers, who are heavy users of both LTL shipping and email. Now that this agent is helping with shipping requests that come in by email, over 75% of all our LTL orders are automated.”