Locus Robotics acquires Nexera Robotics

Warehouse automation company Locus Robotics announced the acquisition of Nexera Robotics, a Vancouver-based developer specializing in robotic grasping technology. The deal, finalized in October 2023, sees Nexera’s full team and proprietary NeuraGrasp technology joining Locus Robotics under full ownership. NeuraGrasp, a patented AI-driven grasping system, combines sensory inputs, computer vision, and a soft membrane structure to adapt to varied item shapes, textures, and weights, enabling reliable handling of high-variability inventory. The technology will be integrated into Locus Robotics’ Locus Array system, an autonomous warehouse fulfillment platform launched at MODEX 2023 in Atlanta. Array combines piece-picking robots with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for in-aisle operations, and NeuraGrasp will expand its ability to manipulate diverse SKUs efficiently. Locus Robotics CEO Rick Faulk stated the acquisition positions the company at the forefront of AI-driven mobile manipulation, addressing a critical bottleneck in warehouse automation. Nexera Robotics CEO Roy Belak emphasized the technology’s real-world adaptability, designed to overcome long-standing challenges in robotic picking. The system has undergone six generations of refinement over five years, validated through thousands of operational hours and tens of millions of picks with commercial partners. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Nexera’s existing customer relationships will be managed on a case-by-case basis as part of Locus Robotics’ broader platform integration. Locus Robotics, headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, will retain Nexera’s leadership and team to accelerate NeuraGrasp’s adoption across its autonomous fulfillment solutions. The move aligns with industry trends toward scalable, AI-enhanced robotics for high-speed warehouse operations, where reliability and adaptability are paramount.