Saddle Creek deploys Robust.AI's Carter AMRs to streamline tote movement and floor flow
Nov 13, 2025 - Saddle Creek Logistics Services has rolled out the Carter™ collaborative robotics platform from Robust.AI in its Charlotte, NC warehouse. The system supports order fulfillment for a beauty client, moving totes between multiple processing and labeling lines and more than 20 drop-off points.
The goal is simple: reduce unproductive walking, balance workloads, and move more product with fewer bottlenecks-without adding fixed infrastructure. Carter acts like a "virtual conveyor," dropping in alongside existing processes and people.
What operations leaders should note
- No fixed infrastructure required: Carter slots into current workflows and floor plans as a non-integrated transport layer.
- Software-defined roles: The same fleet can switch between picking support, point-to-point transport, or mobile sorting as demand shifts.
- Operator-directed actions: Human-in-the-loop controls enable oversight and quick adjustments during exceptions.
- Customized payload: For Saddle Creek, Carter was tuned to carry more per trip, increasing throughput potential.
How it's used in Charlotte
Carter automates tote delivery between lines and designated drop points, acting as a flexible connector across the floor. This reduces manual handoffs and shortens the distance associates walk between tasks.
Because it doesn't depend on conveyors or fixed installs, the team can adapt routes and stations as order profiles change. That flexibility is especially helpful heading into peak season.
Measured improvements since deployment
- Less walking time for manual tote runs, freeing associates for higher-value work
- More tote capacity per trip, increasing throughput
- Human oversight available when needed through operator-directed actions
- Better workload balance between people and robots
- Lower congestion for smoother, safer floor operations
Why it matters
Fulfillment leaders are under pressure to scale with accuracy and speed while avoiding major capital projects. A configurable AMR fleet that supports multiple workflows helps teams respond to changing order patterns without rethinking the building.
By automating repetitive transport and eliminating unnecessary walking, operations can reassign time to picking, quality, and exception handling-where people add the most value.
Voices from the floor
"We build automation that works for people and not around them," said Anthony Jules, CEO of Robust.AI. "Our partnership with Saddle Creek demonstrates how collaborative robotics can seamlessly integrate into real-world warehouse operations to deliver measurable improvements, quickly."
"Robust.AI's ability to rapidly deliver customized solutions that automate operations without expensive infrastructure upgrades enables us to meet our clients' evolving needs efficiently and cost-effectively," said Harshil Aghera, Senior Director, Technology and Innovation at Saddle Creek Logistics Services.
"Carter was easy to integrate into our existing workflows and processes, and supports a wide range of fulfillment activities," said Adam Sauter, Regional Senior Director, Operations, at Saddle Creek. "Carter's collaborative technologies truly empower our associates to be more productive and help make their jobs easier and less physically and mentally stressful, which is especially important as we move into the busy holiday season."
What to do next
- Identify high-walk, low-value transport loops that strain labor and create congestion.
- Pilot AMRs as a "virtual conveyor" to connect lines and drop points without capital buildout.
- Plan for software-defined roles so the same fleet can flex between transport, picking support, and mobile sorting.
- Keep humans in the loop for exception handling and continuous improvement.
About Robust.AI
Robust.AI builds collaborative AMRs focused on human-robot teamwork. Carter™ is engineered to be broadly useful, easy to adopt, and safe to work alongside across picking, putaway, value-added services, and material handling.
About Saddle Creek Logistics Services
Saddle Creek provides omnichannel fulfillment, warehousing, and transportation solutions, helping brands move products quickly and cost-effectively.
Media contact
Elizabeth Byington - robustai@sparkpr.com
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