Robot provider acquisition broadens Locus portfolio

The acquisition broadens the Locus product line of AMR solutions that address use cases from eCommerce, case-picking, and pallet-picking to scenarios requiring larger, heavier payloads and fulfilment modalities. 

It will also assist Locus in delivering on its recent 2,000-bot deal with DHL.

DHL Supply Chain North America CIO Sally Miller, says: “This acquisition, which adds a larger, heavier-weight autonomous robot capability to their portfolio, is a good reflection of how Locus continues to address the customer requirements at the heart of its strategy. I believe it will open up promising new opportunities in our partnership, support DHL’s ongoing efforts to deploy technologies that improve our customers’ supply chains and contribute to the continued advancement of a competitive robotics market.”

Waypoint’s Vector and MAV3K are industrial-strength, flexible mobile robot platforms that feature omnidirectional mobility, and can be fitted with a wide variety of modules and attachments, making them versatile and scalable for a host of applications. They are interoperable with other robots and can easily communicate with machines and IoT devices throughout a facility. 

IDC Retail insights research manager, global supply chains, Jordan K. Speer adds: “Warehouses and fulfilment centre cobotic environments are further optimised when a range of differently ‘skilled’ AMRs are employed. With the acquisition of Waypoint Robotics, Locus Robotics is able to bring more capability to the fulfilment floor.

“Furthermore, introducing combinations of differently ‘skilled’ AMRs that are interoperable with each other enables new functional capabilities where robots hand off product to each other. Without intelligent automation that can handle a wide variety of tasks on the fulfilment floor — including returns, putaway, and sortation – organisations will not be able to thrive in today’s market.” 

For more information, please visit www.locusrobotics.com