GXO Deploys Reflex Robots, 20 Times Cheaper and Fully Autonomous, Learning from Humans
GXO leverages its “Operational Incubator” program to closely collaborate with leading developers, using warehouses as real-world labs to validate practical use cases.
Updated: September 21, 2024, 17:59 EST
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra
3 days ago
GXO Deploys Reflex Robots, 20 Times Cheaper and Fully Autonomous, Learning from Humans
The long-term goal of GXO is to widely deploy Reflex robots in its operations.
GXO
The world’s largest pure-play contract logistics company, GXO, has deployed a new type of robot in its warehouses. This humanoid robot can learn over time through human demonstrations. Developed by Reflex Robotics, this versatile humanoid robot seamlessly transitions between various repetitive tasks, including transferring pallets among different automated systems and product picking.
GXO is collaborating with this cutting-edge general-purpose humanoid robotics startup to pilot its solutions for deployment in actual operations.
This out-of-the-box robotic solution reaches operational capability within 60 minutes of deployment and gradually achieves full autonomy after learning from humans. This is GXO’s second robot-as-a-service (RaaS) agreement aimed at deploying modern machinery into operations.
GXO Deploys Cutting-Edge Technology Solutions
“We are excited to collaborate with Reflex to develop applications for its Reflex robots in our warehouses,” said Adrian Stoch, Chief Automation Officer of GXO.
“Through our Operational Incubator program, we are deploying cutting-edge technology solutions that create new value for our customers, GXO, and our people.”
GXO leverages its “Operational Incubator” program to closely collaborate with leading developers, using warehouses as real-world labs to validate practical use cases. Currently, GXO is piloting various process path use cases with Reflex robots in the omnichannel fulfillment operations of a Fortune 100 retailer.
Reflex Robots Cost 20 Times Less
Reflex Robotics states that it is building affordable general-purpose robots to automate repetitive tasks in warehouses and factories. Based in New York, the company was founded by MIT alumni with experience in hardware development at Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Amazon.
“Our robots are internally designed and manufactured. They cost 20 times less than other humanoid robots on the market. You only pay a one-time hardware fee and monthly costs that are about half of current labor expenses,” Reflex Robotics states.
The company also notes that its robots can be remotely controlled by human operators for intervention when needed, “This allows us to handle complex tasks that would cause fully autonomous systems to fail.”
Robots Enable GXO Team Members to Take on More Meaningful Roles
The long-term goal of this agreement is to widely deploy Reflex robots in GXO’s operations to alleviate capacity constraints and enable GXO team members to take on more meaningful roles.
“We are thrilled that GXO, a leading provider of automated logistics solutions, is collaborating with us to advance their strategy,” said Ritesh Ragavender, CEO of Reflex Robotics.
“We have learned a lot from working with the GXO team in the field and are rapidly scaling up robot production to support use cases such as shelf picking, order replenishment, and quality assurance.”
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This June, one of the world’s largest logistics providers, GXO, partnered with Apptronik to explore the application of its Apollo humanoid robots in warehouses. Apollo features swappable batteries that offer the highest operational time among humanoid robots.
Apollo is powered by linear actuators mimicking human muscle mechanisms, providing full mobility. The robot has been tested at GXO’s warehouse for several months.
About the Editor
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and a tech and defense journalist. He enjoys writing about modern weapons and emerging technologies and has also covered global politics and business. He has worked with several renowned media organizations, including International Business Times (Singapore edition) and ANI.
Source: Interesting Engineering
