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Waypoint Vector (left) and Waypoint MAV3K (center) are being rebranded for a new Locus line of robots that also features the Locus Origin (right). | Source: Waypoint Robotics, Locus Robotics

Editor’s Note: Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, is keynoting our Robotics Summit & Expo, which takes place May 10-11 in Boston. His talk, called “Robotics Automation in the Warehouse: Optimizing Productivity with Business Intelligence,” will discuss how business intelligence is transforming all sectors of the economy, including the fulfillment warehouse. Attendees will learn how automation solutions can provide companies with various types of key business information, a valuable and actionable resource for business planning, operations optimization, labor management and more.

Locus Robotics, a developer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), announced that two of Waypoint Robotics‘ heavy payload capacity AMRs are joining its newest line of LocusBots. 

Locus acquired Waypoint in September 2021 for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition meant that Locus could offer high capacity payloads, and prevented Waypoint from being muscled out of a quickly growing market. 

Locus Vector at MODEX 2022. | Credit: Mike Oitzman

At the time, the two companies maintained Waypoint’s branding, but now Waypoint’s Vector and MAV3K robots are being rebranded as the Locus Vector and Max. The two robots, along with the previously released Locus Origin, make up the company’s new line. 

“With these new LocusBots, we’re able to help our clients alleviate significant labor challenges and achieve optimal productivity by using the right bot for the job,” Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, said. “Locus is the proven leader in developing highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimization, while delivering a fast time to value.”

The Locus Vector is an industrial-strength AMR with a payload capacity of up to 600 lbs. It comes with omnidirectional wheels, a feature Waypoint developed. The Locus Max has a payload capacity of up to 3,000 lbs. The heavier capacity robot, however, will have limited availability in 2022, with expanded availability coming in 2023. 

The two robots are now fully integrated with LocusOne, a multi-robot warehouse orchestration platform. The platform allows fleet managers to coordinate a dynamic fleet of robots. 

“Locus’s innovative multi-bot solution has helped DHL to consistently double our worker’s productivity all around the world,” Adrian Kumar, Global Head of Operations Science & Analytics at DHL Supply Chain, said. “This new robot lineup – with the different form factors all working together as a coordinated fleet – means we always assign the right robot, even as our needs change dynamically throughout the work day.”

Like all of Locus’ robots, the new line will be available through its Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) pricing model. Locus will be debuting the entire line at MODEX 2022.