DHL launching robotics pilot in Tennessee warehouse
DHL Supply Chain is set to begin a pilot test using a collaborative, autonomous robotics solution at a life sciences facility in Tennessee in the next two months. The robots, called LocusBots from Locus Robotics, are being tested as a picker companion for piece picking order fulfilment in the warehouse.
LocusBots help to locate and transport pick items, so pickers don’t have to push carts or carry bins.
“We believe it’s critical to identify and implement these types of advanced technology solutions in the warehouse so we can seamlessly improve our customers’ supply chains,” said Adrian Kumar, Vice President of Solutions Design, DHL Supply Chain North America. “DHL Supply Chain’s initial implementation of this pilot program within the life sciences sector will inform the potential for broader deployment across different parts of our business. This is a natural evolution of our robotics program.”
The pilot will test the robots’ ability to communicate with the picker and the warehouse management system, how it navigates the warehouse, and its overall versatility.
Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, added: “It’s especially gratifying to see the extent to which our offering is proving its worth in a wide range of warehouse environments.
“We’ve designed an easy-to-deploy, highly scalable solution that can improve the operating metrics for mid-size clients, as well as global powerhouses. We’re excited to partner with DHL Supply Chain on this initial deployment.”
As previously reported by Post&Parce, DHL Supply Chain is also testing Baxter and Sawyer, two smart and collaborative robots, in its warehouses on co-packing and “value-added tasks” and has successfully run a pilot with EffiBOT , a new, fully automated trolley that follows pickers through the warehouse and supports collaborative automated order picking.
