Draft:Locus Robotics: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|American robotics company}}

'''Locus Robotics''' is an American robotics company that develops autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for warehouse fulfillment and logistics operations.<ref name="WCVB2025">{{cite news |last=Reed |first=David |title=Massachusetts robotics company making warehouse work easier |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-robotics-company-making-warehouse-work-easier/63935507 |work=WCVB |date=February 26, 2025 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the company’s systems are designed to work alongside human workers to increase throughput and reduce manual walking in warehouses.

'''Locus Robotics''' is an American robotics company specializing in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for warehouse fulfillment and distribution. Its robots and software help warehouses automate order picking and inventory movement, working alongside human workers to improve efficiency. Locus Robotics was incubated within the e-commerce logistics firm Quiet Logistics in 2014 and spun off as an independent company in 2015, in response to growing demand for flexible warehouse automation.<ref name="TechCrunchMar2024">TechCrunch (Mar 12, 2024). “Locus Robotics’ success is a tale of focusing on what works.”</ref><ref name="TechCrunchNov2022">TechCrunch (Nov 29, 2022). “Locus raises another $117M for its warehouse robots.”</ref> Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the company has become a leading provider of warehouse AMR solutions, deploying thousands of robots at customer sites worldwide and reaching a valuation of over $1 billion by 2021.<ref name="TechCrunchFeb2021">TechCrunch (Feb 17, 2021). “Locus Robotics has raised a $150M Series E.”</ref>

== History ==

Locus Robotics was founded in 2015 as a spin-off from Quiet Logistics by Bruce Welty and Mike Johnson.<ref name="SC247">{{cite news |title=From Quiet to Locus Robotics |url=https://www.supplychain247.com/article/from_quiet_to_locus_robotics |work=Supply Chain 24/7 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> The company was created following Amazon's 2012 acquisition of Kiva Systems, which limited third-party access to Kiva's robots, prompting the founders to develop a new AMR solution compatible with existing warehouse environments.<ref name="MWPVL">{{cite web |title=Locus Robotics - Independent Consultant Review |url=https://mwpvl.com/html/locus_robotics_-_independent_consultant_review.html |website=MWPVL International |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref>

Locus Robotics traces its origin to Quiet Logistics, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider co-founded by Bruce Welty and Michael Johnson. Quiet Logistics had relied on Kiva Systems robots for warehouse automation until Amazon’s 2012 acquisition of Kiva led to those robots becoming unavailable to outside customers.<ref name="TechCrunchMar2024" /> In 2014, facing the loss of its automation solution, Quiet Logistics started an internal robotics project. Welty and Johnson led the development of a new autonomous mobile robot, which became the foundation of Locus Robotics when it spun out in 2015.<ref name="BruceWelty">Bruce Welty profile – Boston Globe / Wikipedia (2016/2019).</ref>

In 2017, Locus raised $25 million in a Series B funding round led by Scale Venture Partners.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Kelsey |title=Locus Robotics grabs $25M, signs on DHL |url=https://www.retaildive.com/news/locus-robotics-grabs-25m-signs-on-dhl/511395 |work=Retail Dive |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> In February 2021, the company announced a $150 million Series E funding round, valuing the company at $1 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ackerman |first=Evan |title=Locus Robotics raises $150M at $1B valuation |url=https://www.therobotreport.com/locus-robotics-raises-150m-series-e-at-1b-valuation |work=The Robot Report |date=February 17, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> Later in 2021, it raised an additional $50 million, bringing total funding to around $300 million at the time.<ref>{{cite news |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |title=Locus Robotics just raised another $50M |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/14/locus-robotics-just-raised-another-50m/ |work=TechCrunch |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref>

Locus's first major external customer was DHL Supply Chain, which partnered with the company in 2017.<ref name="SupplyChainDive">SupplyChainDive (Sept 27, 2022). “DHL Supply Chain deepens robotics partnership ahead of peak season.”</ref> By 2019, Locus expanded into Europe, opening a headquarters in Amsterdam in 2021 to support international clients.<ref name="FreightWaves">FreightWaves (Sept 20, 2021). “Locus Robotics expands warehouse offerings with acquisition of Waypoint Robotics.”</ref>

== Technology and products ==

In 2021, the company acquired Waypoint Robotics, expanding its product line with robots like Vector and MAV3K.<ref name="FreightWaves" />

Locus offers a range of AMRs, including:

* '''Locus Origin''' – Designed for standard item-picking in e-commerce fulfillment centers.<ref name="WCVB2025" />

* '''Locus Vector''' – Capable of transporting heavier payloads and maneuvering in complex warehouse layouts.<ref name="WCVB2025" />

* '''Locus Array''' – Introduced in 2025, this system integrates AI coordination with high-density shelving for automated, "zero-touch" fulfillment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zero-touch tech from Locus Robotics boosts picking and efficiency |url=https://scw-mag.com/news/zero-touch-tech-from-locus-robotics-boosts-picking-and-efficiency |work=Supply Chain World |date=March 6, 2025 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref>

The company’s orchestration platform, '''LocusOne''', coordinates workflows across multi-bot fleets, integrating with warehouse management systems (WMS) to dynamically assign tasks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive interview with Locus Robotics: born in the digital age |url=https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2025/07/30/exclusive-interview-with-locus-robotics-born-in-the-digital-age/93405 |work=Robotics & Automation News |date=July 30, 2025 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> Locus als

== Funding ==

Locus Robotics raised a Series A in 2016 and Series B in 2017. In April 2019, it closed a $26 million Series C round led by Zebra Ventures and Scale Venture Partners, bringing total funding to around $66 million.<ref name="TechCrunchApr2019">TechCrunch (Apr 23, 2019). “Locus Robotics raises $26 million for warehouse automation.”</ref>

In June 2020, the company secured $40 million in Series D funding.<ref name="MultichannelMerchant">Multichannel Merchant (June 4, 2020). “Locus Robotics Raises $40 Million in New Funding Round.”</ref> By February 2021, it raised $150 million in Series E funding and achieved unicorn status.<ref name="TechCrunchFeb2021" /> A further $50 million followed in September 2021.

In November 2022, Locus closed a $117 million Series F round co-led by Goldman Sachs and G2 Venture Partners, bringing its valuation close to $2 billion.<ref name="TechCrunchNov2022" />

== Products ==

Locus offers AMRs for warehouse automation. Its flagship model, '''Locus Origin''', features a touchscreen and tote-carrying capacity. Workers pick items into robots, which transport them to sorting or packing zones, offered through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.<ref name="TheRobotReport">The Robot Report (2023). “Locus Robotics surpasses 5B picks with its warehouse automation.”</ref>

Other models include:

* '''Locus Vector''': A mid-sized AMR with omnidirectional wheels and ~600 lb payload.<ref name="BruceWelty" />

* '''Locus Array''': Designed for high-density automation with AI-driven "zero-touch" fulfillment.

All robots operate under the unified '''LocusONE''' software platform, which provides fleet management and analytics. In 2024, the company added AI tools like LocusHub for predictive insights.

== Customers ==

Locus serves retail, e-commerce, and logistics firms. Major customers include:

* '''DHL''': First customer since 2017, reaching 5,000 robot deployments by 2023.<ref name="SupplyChainDive" />

* '''GEODIS''': Adopted Locus in 2018 and expanded globally with 1,000 robots by 2022.

* Other users include UPS, CEVA Logistics, Radial, and Boot Barn.

As of 2025, Locus robots operate in 350+ global sites across diverse sectors.

== Partnerships ==

In 2019, Locus partnered with '''RightHand Robotics''' to combine picking arms with mobile robots for enhanced automation.<ref name="MultichannelMerchant" />

Locus has also worked with Zebra Technologies (an investor via Zebra Ventures), warehouse integrators, and WMS providers to ensure ecosystem interoperability.

== Legal and Market Context ==

The company emerged following Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Systems, which created a gap in the AMR market. Competitors include:

* '''6 River Systems''' (founded by ex-Kiva staff, acquired by Shopify, then Ocado)

* '''Fetch Robotics''' (acquired by Zebra Technologies)<ref name="BruceWelty" />

By 2024, Locus had a substantial lead in live deployments and customer base.<ref name="BruceWelty" /> Its robots meet OSHA safety standards and follow cybersecurity best practices. In 2024, the company received a Fortress Cybersecurity Award for its data protection measures.

== Recognition ==

Locus has received multiple honors:

* '''Inc. 500''' Fastest-Growing Companies (2021–2022)

* '''IFOY Award''' for best AMR (2022)<ref name="MassRobotics">MassRobotics release (Nov 23, 2022). “Locus Robotics named to Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech list.”</ref>

* '''Fast Company Most Innovative Companies''' (2024)<ref name="FastCompany">Fast Company (Mar 19, 2024). “The most innovative companies in robotics for 2024.”</ref>

* '''Forbes Best Startup Employers''' – #31 in 2024<ref name="Forbes">Forbes (2024). “America’s Best Startup Employers 2024 – Locus Robotics.”</ref>

* '''Robotics Company of the Year''' – NEVY Awards (2023)

* '''Warehouse Picking Technology Award''' – SupplyTech Breakthrough (2024)

By April 2025, Locus had reached over five billion units picked with its AMRs, doubling its pick count from 2 billion in August 2023.<ref name="AutomatedWarehouse">Automated Warehouse (2025). “Locus Robotics Passes 5B Picks as Warehouse Automation Adoption Accelerates.”</ref>

== References ==

<references />