Locus Robotics’ success is a tale of focusing on what works. As CEO Rick Faulk shares, “We’re fundamentally a software company […] We look like a robot company, but we’re actually a software company.”
This statement is a common refrain from companies whose most visible products are hardware. Such is the case with Locus, renowned for producing the top AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) outside of Amazon. While these tote-moving systems are crucial to the Massachusetts-based firm’s warehouse operations, Faulk explains to TechCrunch that it’s their software that truly differentiates them from competitors.
Currently, Locus offers fleet management software that is essential for coordinating robotic systems in a busy environment. This also applies to their latest innovation, the LocusHub Engine, which was recently announced at the Modex supply chain show in Atlanta. The platform utilizes data collection, a core aspect of the company’s automation system, to its advantage. Similar to a Roomba at home, Locus’ AMRs are equipped with sensors that provide situational awareness and aid in navigating around people, obstacles, and other robots.
At their core, these machines are data-collectors that excel at moving heavy objects around warehouse floors. The new software utilizes AI to process the massive amounts of data collected and provide predictions for future events.
“Most reporting in warehouses right now is what we call ‘reactive,'” Faulk explains. “It’s what happened, someone picked X number of units per hour, here’s how many you should pick for the day, week, and month. We believe that’s great and we still need that, but we also believe in having predictive analytics to tell you what’s about to happen is incredibly important.”
Through the use of machine learning, these predictive models offer suggestions for optimal staff distribution, both human and robot. The software can also identify bottlenecks and refine routes for better efficiency.
“We have uniquely integrated data capture from our robots into our platform,” Faulk shares. “For example, I can go into my phone and look at any single robot in our system. I can actually control that robot and update it over my phone. We have the capabilities to integrate both of those together.”
The founding of Locus was a direct result of Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Systems in 2012. This left many former Kiva clients, such as Quiet Logistics, in a difficult position. Quiet then began their own robotics division in 2014 and spun off Locus the following year.
This acquisition was a revolutionary moment for the industry, and several ex-Kiva executives went on to create successful Locus competitors, such as 6 River Systems and Fetch Robotics. However, Locus remains the dominant market leader, solidified by a surge of interest in warehouse automation caused by the pandemic. While investor activity has since slowed, Locus continues to thrive by fulfilling their clients’ needs and focusing on a specific niche.
TechCrunch notes that “tote-transporting AMRs are still at the center of everything Locus does […]” and that each new robot is essentially an improved version of the company’s core product.
Currently, human labor is essential to Locus’ operations as they do not produce a mobile manipulator, meaning workers must load and unload totes onto the robots. When asked about the potential for Locus to pioneer this technology in the warehouse space, Faulk responds, “We will. We’re looking at a number of things that will reduce labor in a building. We have an R&D group that is exploring ways to fully automate a warehouse. Eventually, we’ll figure it out.”
However, Faulk remains skeptical about the role of humanoid robots in this future.
“Maybe for specific functions, it might [be useful],” he explains. “But I think that’s years away before there’s any scale. There are tests that will be done, but before anything gets to enterprise scale, I think it will be years.”
Locus Robotics’ success is a testament to their commitment to focusing on what works, both in terms of software and hardware. As CEO Rick Faulk maintains, “We may look like a robot company, but we’re actually a software company at our core.”
