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AI-enabled robotics firm to buy Walmart’s robotics businessAI-enabled robotics firm to buy Walmart’s robotics business
Partnership with Symbotic will help retailer’s online pickup and delivery fulfillment
1 Min Read
The acquisition could cost as much as $520 million. Getty Images
AI-enabled robotics tech provider Symbotic Inc. is acquiring Walmart’s Advanced Systems and Robotics business, Symbotic announced on Wednesday.
Biggest news for grocers?
The acquisition could cost as much as $520 million. Symbotic will work with Walmart to create an AI-enabled robotics platform that will result in accelerated online pickup and delivery options at stores. Along with upgrading the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer’s current online pickup and delivery fulfillment systems, Symbotic will design new systems to meet the needs of current and future customers. Walmart plans to deploy 400 systems in stores over a multi-year period.
It’s already begun
Walmart has already started the process of upgrading its regional distribution centers as high-tech automation systems began being installed at the Buckeye, Ariz., and Searcy, Ark., locations late last year. Once finished, the centers will be able to ship nearly double the number of cases compared to a traditional regional distribution center while evolving manual jobs into those that offer new skills in robotics and tech.
By the numbers
Since 2017, Walmart has been using Symbotic’s software and robotics platform at all 42 regional distribution centers in the U.S
Walmart’s store-fulfilled deliveries grew almost 50% year over year in the third quarter
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