Published on: March 23, 2025 / update from: March 23, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
The Skypod® system, an automatic storage and picking system that follows the "Ware-Zur person" approach. The Skypod robots transport articles from the shelves directly to the employees at ergonomic picking stations-Image: Exotec
Future projects 2025: The new era of warehouse automation in the USA
A technological masterpiece in the logistics industry
The automation of warehouses through robot technology is changing the logistics landscape in the US state of Georgia fundamentally. With several large -scale projects planned for 2025, Georgia is developing into a center for warehouse automation in the USA. The most remarkable developments include a massive deployment of over 450 robots in the Oxford Industries Sales Center, tests of humanoid robots at GXO Logistics and a 144 million dollar project of Greenbox Systems, all of which are intended to revolutionize the efficiency, accuracy and scalability of storage processes.
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The Oxford Industries project: a milestone of the warehouse automation
Oxford Industries, owner of well-known clothing stamps such as Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Johnny Was, has announced a partnership with the warehouse robot provider Exototec to automate a new, large sales center in Lyons, Georgia. This cooperation marks EXOTEC's largest and most complex robot deployment.
The scope and scaling of the project
The new system, which includes over 560,000 square foot (about 52,025 square meters), is equipped with the Next Generation Skypod system from Exotec . This system will consist of over 450 robots and more than 450,000 storage spaces. The impressive size of the project underlines the trend towards extensive automation solutions in the logistics industry.
The sales center is designed to process more than 20 million units annually, which illustrates the enormous capacity and performance of the robot system. It is expected that the system will be put into operation at the end of 2025 and will play a crucial role in the future business processes of Oxford Industries.
Mark Kirby, Senior Vice President of Operations at Oxford Industries, emphasizes the strategic importance of this investment: “This new camp with favorable access to ports in the southeast of the USA is supported by Exotecs Next Generation Skypod system and provides first-class throughput capacity for direct sales to consumers for our brands".
Integration and functionality
The Next Generation Skypod system will serve as a “picking engine” for the entire warehouse. EXOTEC will integrate its hardware and software with third-to-end automation machines. This integration supports various processes such as input, unpacking, sorting, packing and shipping.
A remarkable aspect of the system is its ability to effectively use returns. It significantly reduces the time and workload that is required for inspection, sorting and storage returned items and optimizes the process of reworking for sale.
The technology behind the Skypod system
The Next Generation SkypoD system from ExototC represents significant progress in warehouse automation technology and offers improved performance, increased memory density and advanced software functions.
Technical features and performance
The updated version of the SkypoD system includes a new, more compact skypod robot, a work station for robot-to-robot communication, a high-performance exchanger and denser storage. These innovations increase throughput at a single work station by 50%, while storage density is increased by up to 30% compared to the previous generation.
The system enables the picking of up to 600 containers per hour at each station and access to each storage unit within two minutes. The vertical use of the room is maximized by shelves that can reach a height of up to 45 feet (14 meters).
Multifunctional skills
An essential distinction feature of the Next Generation SkypoD system is its ability to handle both individual and case communication, which means that Exototec is better able to meet multi-channel requirements with a single solution. The system also supports several valuable logistics functions that traditionally require external devices and complex subsystems.
These functions include:
- Integrated buffer: The system takes over the buffer within the system without needing additional external storage areas.
- Precise output sequencing: The system ensures precise sequencing before the release of orders, whereby robots and the Exchanger are used.
- Simplified processes: The reduction of performance steps minimizes the points of contact for orders and improves accuracy.
More robot initiatives in Georgia
In addition to the Oxford Industries project, there are other important developments in robot automation in Georgia, which underline the increasing importance of this technology for the state's logistics industry.
GXO Logistics and the Humanoid robot “Digit”
GXO Logistics tests a humanoid robot, called “Digit”, in his facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. This robot, manufactured by Agility Robotics, a start-up from Corvallis, Oregon, represents a different approach to warehouse automation than the Skypod systems.
Digit is 5 feet and 9 inches tall, weighs £ 140 and can wear up to £ 35. His battery currently lasts about two hours, whereby this term is expected to doubt the production model.
The human -like form of the robot enables him to work in rooms that are designed for humans. With two feet, the robot can climb over objects, and his two arms allow him to reach for things. The operating costs of the robot are around $ 10 to 12 per hour, whereby it is expected that these costs will decrease to $ 2 to 3 per hour plus overhead for software.
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Greenbox Systems: AI-based warehouse services
Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Greenbox Systems LLC will invest $ 144 million in a new sales center in Jackson, Georgia. This project is to create more than 300 new jobs in Butts County.
The automated Greenbox sales center will be located in “The Cubes at Riverpark” in Jackson, Georgia, and will include around 1 million square foot. The system will employ automation operators and managers, forklift drivers, material handling workers, shipping and reception staff, logistics coordinators and maintenance technicians together with AI technology to serve retailers in the region.
Vikas J. Parekh, Managing Partner at Softbank Investment Advisers and board member of Greenbox, was enthusiastic about the project: “Greenbox is pleased to bring AI-supported warehouse services to Georgia and contribute to increasing the efficiency, accuracy and safety of the supply chain in a capital-efficient way”.
Trends in warehouse automation
The current developments in Georgia reflect broader trends in warehouse automation that shape the future of the logistics industry.
Diversity of the robot systems
The warehouse automation includes a growing variety of robot types and systems:
- Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): Systems such as EXOTECS SKypod simplify warehouse processes by reducing the need for additional devices and saving space, time and costs.
- Humanoid robots: In addition to Digit, there are other humanoid robots such as Teslas Optimus and the Atlas robot from Boston Dynamics that offer new opportunities for human-like automation.
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRS): Companies such as Standard Bots, Amazon Robotics, Boston Dynamics and Greyorange offer AMR solutions that can eliminate the need for running paths in large warehouses.
AI integration and orchestration
The integration of artificial intelligence is a key trend in modern warehouse automation:
- Orchestration platforms: Companies such as Greyorange offer AI-based platforms such as Greymatter, which can integrate and coordinate various robot types.
- Real-time optimization: Modern systems continuously optimize the fulfillment performance in real time in order to process the right orders with the right robots and/or employees who take the right way and carry out the right action.
- Data-controlled decision-making process: AI systems can analyze data to make decisions that improve the warehouse and reduce operating costs.
Economic and labor market -related effects
The increasing automation of warehouses in Georgia has significant economic effects and changes the employment landscape in the region.
Plant acquisition and transformation
While automation is often associated with the loss of jobs, the current projects in Georgia actually create new employment opportunities:
- Greenbox Systems plans to create more than 300 new jobs in Butts County, including positions for automation operators and managers, forklift drivers, material handling workers, shipping and reception staff, logistics coordinators and maintenance technicians.
- New competence requirements: Automation moves the focus of manual tasks into technical roles that include monitoring, maintaining and optimizing robot systems.
Oxford Industries emphasizes that the new system will “increase the productivity of the existing workforce”, which indicates that automation is seen as a supplement to human work and not as a complete replacement.
Economical advantages
The automation projects bring significant economic advantages for Georgia:
- Capital investments: Greenbox Systems invests $ 144 million in its new sales center, while Oxford Industries makes a “large investment” in its extended facility in Toombs County.
- Efficiency increases: According to Greyorange, their solutions can reduce the CPU by 45%, increase warehouse productivity by 2-4 times and ensure 99% punctual deliveries.
- Regional development: Governor Brian P. Kemp emphasized that “innovative workplace sheets in every industry continue to choose Georgia”, and referred to “first -class educational institutions, incredible workforce development initiatives such as Georgia Match and Georgia Quick Start as well as our partnership approach”.
Transformation of the logistics industry: Georgias Technological pioneering role
The automation of warehouses in Georgia by hundreds of robots marks an important turning point in the logistics industry. With projects such as the 450 robot deployment of EXOTEC for Oxford Industries, the tests of humanoid robots at GXO Logistics and the AI-based initiative of GreenBox Systems, the state is positioning itself at the head of this technological revolution.
These developments promise significant improvements in relation to efficiency, accuracy and scalability of storage processes. At the same time, they create new types of jobs and drive economic development in the region.
While the technology is progressing, we can expect that more advanced robot systems, deeper AI integration and more extensive automation solutions will arise. The current projects in Georgia are only the beginning of a more comprehensive transformation of the logistics landscape, which is ultimately redefined the way in which goods are stored, picked and delivered to consumers.
For Georgia, this development not only means technological progress, but also economic growth and the creation of jobs with higher qualification requirements that will shape the future of work in the region.
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