Massachusetts-based Locus Robotics has added the Vector and Max to its range of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfilment warehouses.

These form factors join the Locus Origin robot to form a family of AMRs for a broad range of warehouse use cases. The line addresses use cases from ecommerce, case-picking and pallet-picking to scenarios requiring larger, heavier payloads to support product movement needs in fulfilment and distribution warehouses.

“With these new LocusBots, we’re able to help our clients alleviate significant labour challenges and achieve optimal productivity by using the right bot for the job,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Locus is the proven leader in developing highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimisation, while delivering a fast time to value.”

The bots are fully integrated within LocusOne, an intelligent, multi-bot warehouse orchestration platform that delivers predictable, efficient and scalable productivity and cost optimisation for all product movement within the four walls of the warehouse. The platform seamlessly centralises and coordinates a dynamic, multi-bot fleet while providing detailed, forward-looking and actionable business intelligence and reporting for effective management and planning.

“Locus’ innovative multi-bot has helped DHL to consistently double our worker’s productivity all around the world,” said Adrian Kumar from DHL Supply Chain. “This new robot line – with the different form factors all working together as a coordinated fleet – means we always assign the right robot, even as our needs change dynamically throughout the work day.”

The new line of LocusBots consists of:

• Origin – Engineered for warehouse efficiency, Origin delivers fulfilment productivity coupled with agile manoeuvrability, incorporating the navigation and vision system technologies. It works easily and collaboratively with associates in dynamic warehouse environments.
• Vector – The industrial-strength AMR with the flexibility for a wide range of roles from fulfilment to transport to put-away, Vector features omnidirectional mobility, compact design and robust payload capacity for use in any environment. It will ship starting this summer.
• Max – With heavyweight payload capacity and flexibility to transport a wide variety of heavy materials, cartons or pallets across a facility, Max is suitable for industrial and material handling applications. Currently deployed at several sites, Max will have limited availability in 2022 and expanded availability in 2023.

All LocusBots will be available through the company’s robots-as-a-service (RaaS) pricing model and can be added to existing and new workflows, enabling operations to scale and adapt to changing market demands dynamically.

• Pure-play contract logistics provider GXO Logistics has chosen Locus Robotics as the primary AMR technology to support high-volume order fulfilment for a large sports-fashion retail company in the UK and Netherlands.

“Locus’s innovative multi-bot approach, flexibility, scalability and fast RoI is helping GXO to consistently exceed their global customers’ expectations,” said Faulk. “This deployment allows GXO to further scale its operations for the customer as they expand into new markets and reach more consumers.”

To accommodate the explosive growth of its European retail customer, GXO has deployed 65 Locus Robotics AMRs at its warehouses. The LocusBots optimise productivity in the order fulfilment process by decreasing unproductive walking time and eliminating the physical challenges of pulling heavy pick trolleys.

“This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to deploy innovative logistics that use advanced technology to address increasingly complex fulfilment challenges,” said Gavin Williams, managing director of GXO in the UK and Ireland. “Customisation, flexibility and scalability are the hallmarks of our solutions, and the Locus AMRs support our ability to make warehouse space even more efficient for our customers.”