Locus Robotics Introduces New Solution to Seamlessly Integrate AMR Models

LocusOne platform creates single, unified fleet from disparate warehouse robots

Locus Robotics' booth at ProMat 2023 in Chicago, where the warehouse robotics firm showed off its latest tech (Photo: Locus)

Warehouse Robots: Bridging the Divide

Similar to ants, the failure of a warehouse robot can have a significant effect on the entire operation. In contrast to an ant colony, however, they are frequently segregated, performing different tasks and operating on different systems, resulting in inefficiencies.

LocusOne: Uniting Robots for Greater Efficiency

At ProMat 2023, Wilmington, Massachusetts-based Locus Robotics introduced its new automation platform, LocusOne, which aims to address this issue. The platform, which was unveiled on Monday, is capable of managing over a thousand LocusBots of varying sizes and capabilities across areas larger than one million square feet.

Enhanced Task Capabilities

With LocusOne, each of the company's AMRs — Vector, Origin, and Max — can now perform additional tasks. Initially designed for specific functions such as picking or goods-to-person transport, the robots can now perform a variety of tasks, including case picking and pallet construction. This solution, according to Locus, can double or even triple productivity.

Versatile LocusBots for Diverse Tasks

A Locus representative explained to FreightWaves that LocusOne ensures that the appropriate bot is assigned to each role. Within a single warehouse, LocusBots can now easily scale to engage in a wide variety of tasks.

LocusView: The Brain Behind LocusOne

The "brain" of LocusOne is LocusView, a data science-driven software that optimizes each bot's daily task allocation. Numerous reports and real-time dashboards, such as labor forecasting, predictive analytics, order pool tracking, and operational benchmarking, provide immediate insights.

Seamless Integration and Deployment

The ability of LocusOne to integrate with any warehouse management system facilitates the deployment of LocusBots. After being activated, the bots receive regular improvements via over-the-air updates. Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus, highlighted the platform's rapid and efficient integration with other automation technologies.

Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) Offering

LocusOne is now available via Locus' robots-as-a-service (RaaS) offering, which is essentially an AMR fleet subscription. Kenco Logistics and DHL Supply Chain are notable customers. Sally Miller, DHL Supply Chain North America's CIO and DSC Digital Transformation Officer, praised LocusOne for its centralized coordination and management.

Locus Robotics Partners with Abb Optical Group

In addition, Locus on Tuesday announced a new partnership with Abb Optical Group, a distributor of optical products like contacts. Abb Optical Group will deploy LocusBots at its logistics center in Hebron, Kentucky to improve fulfillment efficiency, expanding on a previous deployment at its Florida headquarters.

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