From Idle Time to Uptime: How Automated Dock Solutions Shrink Truck Turn Times

Every Minute a Truck Sits Still Costs You

In the logistics world, time is money. Every minute a truck waits at your dock represents lost productivity, higher labor costs, and increased detention fees. For high-volume operations, shaving even a few minutes off each dock turn can translate into millions saved annually.

Automated dock solutions like SlipBots from Slip Robotics are engineered to eliminate idle time by automating the most time-consuming part of the dock cycle: loading and unloading.

Common Causes of Idle Time at the Dock

• Waiting for forklifts and operators to stage freight
• Poor trailer alignment and safety delays
• Staging congestion and lack of synchronization
• Manual sequencing of pallets

How Slip Robotics Eliminates Idle Time

• Autonomous entry and exit of trailers: Robots drive in/out with freight, reducing dependency on forklifts.
• Fast, consistent cycle times: Each SlipBot move is predictable and efficient, minimizing downtime.
• Staging-to-trailer integration: Robots handle staging and trailer loading as a single flow.
• SlipBot+ attachments: Adapt to various freight types, reducing the need for manual handling.

Results in the Field

• ABC Automotive: 91% reduction in truck idle time.
• Valeo: 6x increase in dock speed.
• Four Hands: 50–75% reduction in load/unload time.

Strategic Benefits Beyond Time Savings

• Schedule more trucks per dock per shift
• Better SLA compliance and customer satisfaction
• Lower yard congestion and detention penalties
• Maximize asset utilization

Build a Turn Time Optimization Plan

• Benchmark current average load/unload time
• Identify peak congestion periods
• Quantify detention cost exposure
• Pilot SlipBots in a high-impact lane

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Shrink turn times, boost throughput, and turn dock idle time into dock uptime. Discover how Slip Robotics is making every minute at the dock count.

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