How Warp is introducing robots to automate its network of warehouses

Summary

Warp was founded in 2021 to help companies streamline their shipping supply chains and reduce costs through its tech-enabled network of shippers, carriers and warehouses. Now, it wants to make supply chains further efficient by using robots to automate its web of warehouses. Daniel Sokolovsky, the co-founder and CEO of Warp, told TechCrunch that Warp is always looking for ways to make shipping more efficient for its customers, which include enterprises like Walmart, Gopuff, and HelloFresh. With the advancements in AI, the company thought there could be more opportunities to automate. Warp can’t automate the long-haul trucking or short-range delivery aspects of the supply chain, Sokolovsky said, so it’s working on what it can potentially change: the workflows inside its warehouses. Warp started by installing cameras into its test warehouse in Los Angeles and used computer vision to turn that data into a virtual warehouse to start experimenting. “We effectively made a digital twin, or simulation environment for our LA facility,” Sokolovsky said. “[We] basically started just like throwing stuff at the wall. Honestly, a lot of it was, what happens if we do this? What happens if we do that? What happens if we do that other thing?” One of their first ideas was to train humanoid robots to use traditional pallet jacks, which did not work. Then Warp started to find success using off-the-self robots with some additional tech retrofitted on. “We’ve taken really, really complicated logistics problems, divided them into a lot of easily digestible, system understood and system-fed components,” Sokolovsky said. “We are now using, whether it’s AI in the form of voice, text, email, phone calls or robotics, [to make sure] that we’re unloading, storing and reloading freight. We actually think that we can actually continue this on, and really get to our goals as quickly as possible, without hiring more people.” Troy Lester, Warp co-founder and CRO, said that these robots will help give...