Warehouse Robotics Firms Push Automation to Compete With Amazon
Robotics companies are accelerating warehouse automation to help retailers compete with Amazon's massive robotic fleet. Both full-scale solutions and robots-as-a-service models show strong growth as the industry targets a largely untapped market.
Robotics enters the SPAC spotlight as Berkshire Grey announces plans to go public by the second quarter. The company attracts strong investor interest due to its comprehensive approach to warehouse automation, which it deploys to help retailers stay competitive against Amazon's massive fleet of 200,000 fulfillment robots. Investors are eager to fund alternatives that allow smaller retailers to rival the e-commerce giant's automated operations.
Current warehouse automation sits at only around five percent, leaving immense room for growth in the industry. Berkshire Grey provides a complete, ground-up automation solution for factories and fulfillment centers, capitalizing on this massive untapped potential. This full-feature approach contrasts with more modular systems on the market.
Locus Robotics represents a different side of the industry by offering a plug-and-play solution through a robot-as-a-service model. The company just raises a $150 million Series E to expand this rental approach, which lowers the barrier to entry and avoids lengthy warehouse shutdowns. This flexible RaaS model appeals greatly to businesses with seasonal needs or contract-based work.