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Locus Array automates induction, storage for ‘zero contact’ achievement


Array, shown here, uses a LocusBot designed to pick from and to bins from warehouse shelving, says Locus Robotics.

Array makes use of a LocusBot designed to select from and to bins from warehouse shelving. Supply: Locus Robotics


CHICAGO — Locus Robotics is thought for its goods-to-person automation, wherein cell robots help human pickers. At ProMat yesterday, the corporate gave a sneak peek of Locus Array, a system utilizing synthetic intelligence and robots for high-density storage and throughput. “We’ve been engaged on this for the previous a number of years,” mentioned Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Our zero-touch achievement automates induction, and double-deep storage covers 100% of SKUs.” The Wilmington, Mass.-based firm has developed a brand new journal tower that may retrieve a number of orders from shelving into bins or cartons that may be subdivided for additional effectivity.

Locus Array makes use of AMRs, arms for environment friendly retrieval

For Array, Locus Robotics mixed an autonomous cell robotic (AMR) with a tower and a custom-developed, vision-guided choosing arm. The AMR has omnidirectional wheels much like Vector, which the corporate acquired with Waypoint Robotics, to make tight turns and slide subsequent shelving on both facet of an aisle.

“It will possibly pull from a conveyor or circulate rack, decide most of an order, after which hand off objects to be picked with Origin or Vector,” mentioned Mike Johnson, president of Locus Robotics. “The robotic can decide to 3 totally different tote sizes for optimum density with 99.9% accuracy.”

Array’s robotic choosing arm, which makes use of suction cup finish effectors, can decide from both facet of a really slim aisle, defined Faulk. Racks as much as 10 ft. (3 m) excessive add versatile, high-density storage and a 3rd dimension to Locus’ robotic choosing, not not like an automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

“Healthcare, industrial, retail, and e-commerce all have the identical issues with throughput and labor shortages. We will now automate every part from induction and putaway to decant for packout,” he informed The Robotic Report throughout an unique media preview. “It will possibly get rid of 90% of labor, and our aim is to empty the parking plenty of all of the warehouses world wide.”

Locus has already assisted with greater than 4 billion picks, and the corporate was a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award honoree.


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LocusOne orchestrates achievement

As with Locus Robotics’ current goods-to-person (G2P) choosing, LocusOne‘s AI sequences choosing workflows for optimum effectivity, famous Kait Peterson, vp of product advertising at Locus.

“We’re creating a brand new class of robot-to-goods, or R2G, choosing,” she mentioned.

LocusOne already had the order logic and required only a few modifications for Array, added Faulk.

“This has been a part of the corporate’s imaginative and prescient because it was based, and our engineers have labored on this since September,” he mentioned. “By decreasing value per decide, we will ship a quick ROI [return on investment].”

Faulk added that cell manipulator Array may be shortly and simply built-in with current warehouses and Locus’ AMRs, permitting scalable deployments in weeks fairly than months. It will possibly function 24/7 to fulfill rising achievement calls for, he mentioned.

In response to Locus, the product will likely be out there for ordering later this yr, and can begin transport in early 2026.

Editor’s observe: Observe our ongoing protection of ProMat 2025.

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