According to www.digitalcommerce360.com, third-party logistics provider O’Neill Logistics will deploy 24 mobile robots from Robust.AI across its facilities in New Jersey and Georgia, with the rollout scheduled to go live in Q4 2026.
Deployment scope and facility footprint
The Carter robots will operate in two key U.S. distribution hubs: a facility in Monroe, New Jersey, supporting retail and direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment, and a 1 million square-foot site in Savannah, Georgia, dedicated to omnichannel order fulfillment. Collectively, O’Neill Logistics operates approximately 2 million square feet of national distribution space — a scale that underscores the strategic importance of automation in maintaining throughput and labor efficiency.
Technology integration and operational goals
Robust.AI describes the Carter model as a collaborative mobile robot designed to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows without requiring infrastructure overhauls. Its software-defined functionality enables order fulfillment picking, point-to-point transport, and mobile sorting — all without additional hardware investment. According to the source, the system automates repetitive material handling tasks, reduces unproductive walking by warehouse associates, and enables faster, more flexible order fulfillment. The deployment directly supports O’Neill Logistics’s objective to improve order fulfillment efficiency for both retail and DTC clients.
Human-centered automation design
Stephen Reilly, director of industrial engineering at O’Neill Logistics, emphasized workforce alignment in the announcement:
“We needed automation that would make our associates more productive without adding complexity to the floor. Robust.AI’s system-directed picking, light-directed putting, and the ability to run a lean fleet gave us everything we were looking for. We’re confident this is the right platform to grow with as our business scales across both sites.” — Stephen Reilly, director of industrial engineering, O’Neill Logistics
Strategic rationale and leadership perspective
Anthony Jules, co-founder and CEO of Robust.AI, framed the partnership around human augmentation rather than replacement. He stated that his company builds automation “that works for people, not just around them.” The source notes that O’Neill Logistics has built its reputation on engineering smarter supply chains — a context in which Carter was specifically designed to deliver productivity gains from day one while empowering frontline workers. This philosophy aligns with broader industry trends: recent moves by Nestlé (opening an automated distribution center in California in June 2026) and Home Depot (acquiring Simpl Automation in April 2026) reflect accelerating adoption of AI-driven fulfillment tools among major U.S. logistics and retail operators.
Source: digitalcommerce360.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
