Global logistics company XPO Logistics has joined MIT's Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), a partnership program focused on business innovation, the company said Thursday.

Greewich, Conn.-based XPO says it is the first global logistics company to join the group, which pairs MIT's resources with corporations worldwide to "solve global business challenges." 

"We're excited to explore the latest developments in technology with the MIT ILP," Mario Harik, XPO's chief information officer, said in a statement. "This is an opportunity for us to realize new levels of productivity for our customers, while providing input into the future of robotics, machine learning, and systems engineering."

XPO says the move bolsters its commitment to innovation and emerging technologies. The company invests roughly $550 million annually in innovation and will open its technology-focused XPO Innovation Lab to the public next year, the company said.