Locus robots reach 200 million units milestone

Locus Robotics’ robots have now picked more than 200 million units in warehouses around the world and will top the 250 million figure by next month’s Black Friday amid the e-commerce boom.

The US company’s robots are installed at diverse retailers and logistics companies, including CEVA, DHL, Boots UK, GEODIS and Radial, and others, and can double or triple fulfillment productivity while lowering labor recruitment, training, and retention costs.

“We are thrilled to have reached the 200 million units picked milestone,” said Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics. “As more and more shoppers move online, and as we quickly approach what is expected to be the biggest – and most challenging – holiday retail season yet, retailers are turning to AMRs to innovate to meet growing demand and avoid risking losing valuable customers.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly transformed the retail industry, making online and omnichannel purchasing the new standard worldwide. The explosion of online shopping has put increasing pressure on fulfillment companies to adequately staff their fulfillment teams to meet the growing number of orders and ensure that items are picked and packed as efficiently as possible.

These trends will continue as the 2020 holiday shopping season approaches. According to recent reports from Adobe, Cyber Monday sales are expected to hit a record-breaking $9.4 billion, up almost 19% from last year, and Black Friday sales online are expected to be $7.5 billion, up 20.3%.