Walmart makes an initial commitment of about $6bn to Symbotic's AI-run warehouse robotics for 25 US regional distribution centres

Symbotic and Walmart expanded their commercial agreement on 29 October, in a release Symbotic filed with the SEC. It describes “an initial commitment of approximately $6 billion in spend”, covering work over several years across multiple locations, to bring further automation to 25 US regional distribution centres.

The agreement includes a BreakPack each-picking solution and the SymMicro micro-fulfilment solution for e-commerce. Symbotic describes itself as a maker of “A.I.-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain”, and calls its system an “A.I.-powered robotic and software platform”.

Rick Cohen, Symbotic's chairman and chief executive, said: “Our partnership with Walmart started with a single product over a decade ago, and now we offer a full end-to-end solution to help power Walmart’s growth across its supply chain for years to come.” Rob Montgomery, executive vice president for Walmart U.S. supply chain operations, said the work “helps us improve service, grow capacity, simplify work for our associates and lower costs.”

The release does not break the $6bn down by year or by site, and it gives no timetable for the 25 centres. The commitment is described as initial, so the total could grow.

• Confirmed An initial commitment of about $6bn of spend over several years, bringing further automation to 25 US regional distribution centres. Symbotic, 8-K exhibit 99.1
• Confirmed The agreement includes Symbotic's BreakPack each-picking and SymMicro micro-fulfilment systems. Symbotic, 8-K exhibit 99.1