Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

C.H. Robinson Uses AI for Faster, More Customized Load-Matching for Small Fleets

Digital Dispatch from C.H. Robinson uses artificial intelligence to give carriers real-time, hyper-customized recommendations, sent via text or email, as soon as a suggested load becomes available.

C.H. Robinson Uses AI for Faster, More Customized Load-Matching for Small Fleets

C.H. Robinson is using artificial intelligence to let small carriers know about available loads faster.

Image: HDT Graphic

3 min to read


Global logistics company C.H. Robinson has enhanced its load-matching platform using a new algorithm powered by data science and artificial intelligence that proactively gives carriers real-time, hyper-customized recommendations, sent via text or email, as soon as a suggested load becomes available

The new platform, Digital Dispatch, analyzes a broad range of data to offer more timely and precise load recommendations based on a carrier's unique search history and preferences within Navisphere Carrier, according to the company.

Ad Loading...

“In a dynamic and ever-shifting freight marketplace, carriers need real-time access to freight to secure loads before they disappear. This need is even more critical today as the competition for available loads intensifies,” said Cody Griggs, VP, digital brokerage at C.H. Robinson.

“Not only does Digital Dispatch send loads in real-time giving carriers a ‘first look,’ but they are also highly relevant, allowing them to secure the best suited freight for their network.”

Why AI Load-Matching Matters for Trucking Carriers

Traditionally, finding freight required carriers to engage in time-consuming manual processes, including phone calls and browsing through large load boards.

Ad Loading...

Digital Dispatch optimizes the full process. Instead of sending recommendations in bulk batches, the technology now instantly notifies carriers to a single load at a time, giving carriers a competitive advantage to secure relevant freight before it’s gone. 

On average, Digital Dispatch books loads four times faster than traditional methods, transforming hours spent searching into valuable hauling time, according to C.H. Robinson.

Additionally, the load-matching engine uses enhanced data to provide more tailored and precise recommendations. The technology moves beyond long-term booking history and uses more immediate data sources, including a carrier’s real-time search activity and truck posts, to pinpoint where loads are needed now, helping to reduce empty runs.

Digital Dispatch combs through nearly 1.2 million searches daily analyzing patterns such as preferred routes, equipment types, and load origins and destinations to provide personalized recommendations.

“We are seeing carriers book 40% of their C.H. Robinson loads through our Digital Dispatch program, allowing them to access loads tailored to their specific needs at lightning-fast speeds,” added Griggs.

Ad Loading...

“This early adoption reinforces that this is a game-changer for carriers looking to stay ahead of the competition and scale their business.”

The benefits of Digital Dispatch, according to C.H. Robinson, are:

  • Increased efficiency: Immediate alerts enable carriers to drastically reduce the time spent searching for loads.

  • Maximized earnings: By cutting search time and maximizing road time, carriers can boost delivery frequency and income.

  • Minimized empty miles: Digital Dispatch matches loads with carriers' specific routes and availability, reducing empty miles and optimizing routes driven.

Digital Dispatch first became available in February to contract carriers that own 1-10 trucks, with plans to expand to larger carriers in the future.

More Fleet Management

A woman holding a tablet with a screen showing rectangles of various colors
SponsoredSeptember 16, 2026

Color Match Smarter: Tools That Restore & Perform

For fleet managers and collision repair professionals keeping heavy-duty trucks on the road, getting the color right the first time isn't just about appearance — it's about efficiency, turnaround time, and bottom-line results. Discover how today's digital color tools are transforming the repair process from guesswork to precision.

Read More →
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo
Fleet Managementby StaffSeptember 15, 2026

FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition

Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.

Read More →
Geotab Whitepaper Cargo Theft Cover
SponsoredSeptember 14, 2026

2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft

Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A monitor with a bar graph with a person sitting next to it wearing a headset.
SponsoredSeptember 1, 2026

How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets

Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.

Read More →
Graphic with U.S. and Canadian flags over background illustration of an ink-stamp that says Tariffs.
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 24, 2026

What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking

Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 24, 2026

What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?

The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Four men in suits on the National Mall with giant video screen showing capitol building in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 24, 2026

American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader

ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.

Read More →
The Cyber Stop column header with photo of a smiling driver in truck with a laptop and a wi-fi icon
Fleet ManagementAugust 21, 2026

Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data

Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.

Read More →
Woman in white blazer superimposed on background showing a row of Fraley & Schilling truck, plus the HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026 logo
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 19, 2026

For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration

HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Headshot of Adam Buttgenbach with a Pepsi-branded Tesla Semi in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 18, 2026

Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit

HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.

Read More →