Locus Robotics Ideas Portal
The host will send the Locus system a request to relocate stock items. The WMS will create work that consists of two separate steps: Picking and Putaway.
The pick task is executed in the same manner as a customer order pick. The pick user will not know at the time the pick is for an internal movement within the warehouse.
Once the last pick for the designated relocation is made, the robot will send the picked item confirmation file as it normally would. Once the WMS confirms all the picks are complete, the bot will change its mode to Putaway and then navigate to each new location as directed.
Whether the task is required to move stock from a reserves area and place it in the pick area, or the task is to relocate a fast mover from a slow area to a faster-moving area, the bots are very capable of relocating stock efficiently.
In this new operational mode, the bot will complete the picking step before switching to Putaway mode. The robot software will need to expect a putaway task and should therefore not navigate to a pack station, but rather, switch to Putaway.
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Problem/opportunity trying to be solved
Clients would like to be able to send a “location move” to a bot for a number of reasons:
We propose to have a pick request sent to a robot to pick the stock out of one location, relocate the item then complete a putaway transaction to have it show in the new location. We envisage this new capability will be linked to a order and putaway function reusing existing elements in the system. |
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Quantify the problem/opportunity
When our customer sites are quiet, there are opportunities to use the spare time of the fleet to move stock around. Items often end up in the wrong part of the pick module for reasons such as changes in the demand profile, the inclusion/removal of an item from a catalogue or any number of reasons. |
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What is the root cause of the problem/opportunity
The robots have free capacity, albeit after the weekend rush or quiet times. At present, the Locus solution uses non-bot transports and processes to move stock around. The current process obstructs normal activity as sites use trolleys, RF guns and people it he aisles which impact our robot performance due to travel impedance. Having stock in the right location is an area where Locus can add to their capabilities. We can relocate the stock without disruption to the normal warehouse activity and do it much more efficiently than a person with ta trolley and an RF device. |
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| Customer need date | Sep 1, 2024 |
| Urgent request | No |
| Report Tag | CSM |
@Neil Bentley @Guest , can we get an update on this request please. i have been at two customers in the past 2 weeks (Noatum & DPWorld) who would both benefit from this functionality . both site are using manual carts, paper processes, and a very slow process to reallocate product across the warehouse which impacts performance, pick rate etc ..
Reallocation is a standard WMS process, and building into Locus architecture add much more "stickability" to our bots on site
Booktopia have asked when this can be ready. They would find this very hard to do manually. Too many errors! @Neil Bentley
Any news on this @Neil Bentley as we would like to deploy this at GFM in UK early in teh new year. we could increase volume significantly with this at GFM. @Guest FYI
VF-Brampton would benefit from this idea. It would open up an additional pick area for Locus bots. They want to pick for a reserve location and put in the active pick face.
Good work Kent ... needs more investigation