DHL Supply Chain has launched a pilot project in collaboration with technology developer Locus Robotics to assess the suitability of its collaborative warehouse picking robots in the DHL facility in Tennessee.
The LocusBots are being tested as a picker companion for order fulfillment within the life sciences sector of the DHL warehouse. LocusBots work collaboratively alongside warehouse staff, helping to quickly locate and transport pick items, so pickers don’t have to push carts or carry bins.
Adrian Kumar, vice president of solutions design, DHL Supply Chain North America, said, “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.
“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 implement different picking strategies while simultaneously assessing how the robot navigates the warehouse, its versatility, and its ability to communicate with the picker and the warehouse management system.
Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, said, “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.”
To view a video of the picking robots in action, click here.
April 6, 2017
