Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfilment warehouses, has launched a new AI-powered intelligence engine to maximize warehouse productivity and reduce costs, and announced the rollout of more bots in the UK and Mexico as the firm strengthens its presence worldwide.
The new LocusHub business intelligence engine harnesses analytics, AI, and machine learning to deliver data visualization and predictive and prescriptive insights in warehouses.
Meanwhile, the firm has deployed Locus AMRs at John Lewis & Partners’ distribution centre in Milton Keynes, resulting in a 50% increase in picking rates, and announced a new implementation with Geodis in Mexico for next-generation warehouse AMR automation.
The LocusHub
The LocusHub engine has been developed as an integral component of the LocusOne platform, which optimizes real-time, second-by-second coordination of AMR fleets. LocusHub uses real-time operational data from LocusOne to forecast things like labour requirements, identify potential disruptions, and surface proactive recommendations.
Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, said: “LocusHub provides a framework to visualize data, predict future requirements, and receive AI-guided recommendations before issues even occur. LocusHub’s extensible architecture is also designed to allow the integration of new business intelligence modules over time. We have an exciting roadmap to incorporate simulation capabilities and other advanced predictive guidance to empower the intelligent warehouse of the future.”
LocusHub will be available via automatic, over-the-air updates to all Locus customers to further enhance and maximize warehouse productivity through autonomous robotics.
Geodis partnership
Meanwhile, the Geodis site in Mexico will use Locus’ robotics automation to fulfil e-commerce and retail orders for a major global apparel brand. The site, which is Geodis’ first in Latin America to feature Locus Robotics technology, is in Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico, and features a fleet of Locus’s Origin bots operating across all levels of a three-level mezzanine structure, controlled by the LocusOne platform.
LocusOne enables efficient pick-and-pass, multi-level functionality while delivering real-time operational visibility and management insights to ensure high productivity and a fast ROI.
Faulk said: “This deployment represents a significant expansion of our footprint into Latin America and enables us to support Geodis in setting the new benchmark for ecommerce fulfilment efficiency in the region.”
Kevin Stock, Executive Vice President of Engineering at Geodis in Americas, added: “We are excited to deploy the Locus solution at this flagship site in Mexico where will provide transformative workflow automation and management insight for a globally admired brand.”
In August 2022, GEODIS announced a new expansion agreement to deploy a total of 1,000 LocusBots at Geodis’ worldwide warehouse locations over a 24-month period. The announcement represented one of the industry’s largest AMR deals to date.
John Lewis roll out
Over in the UK, Locus Robotics has announced its partnership with John Lewis & Partners following deployment of Locus AMRs at a distribution centre in Milton Keynes. This represents the first deployment of mobile robotics automation at John Lewis and the continued expansion of Locus Robotics’ footprint in the UK.
The LocusBots collaborate with partners at the site to improve productivity and efficiency in order fulfilment while improving worker ergonomics and safety by eliminating unproductive walking time and the need to push heavy carts or lift items.
The robotic fleet is helping John Lewis achieve greater throughput and accuracy as it scales up its e-commerce operations to meet rising customer demand, Locus noted.
“The Locus solution has provided the performance levels and reliability we need to keep up with the increasing focus on efficiency and in support of our customer service standards,” concluded John Munnelly, Distribution Director at John Lewis.
