Warehouse floors bustle with constant movement, yet much of the space remains underutilized and much of the process unchanged for decades. Mytra Inc., a technology company based in Brisbane, California, aims to address inefficiencies in warehouse operations with a newly developed automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The company recently announced completion of its $120 million Series C funding round, bringing the total invested to over $200 million. By introducing mobile robots and programmable material flow, Mytra hopes to streamline work for organizations ranging from local retailers to Fortune 100 suppliers.
Other reports from last year noted growing interest in warehouse automation, yet pointed to hesitancy around high upfront costs and integration difficulties. Some competitors have focused on incremental improvements in robotics, while Mytra emphasizes rethinking the underlying infrastructure supporting material movement. This distinct approach sets Mytra apart from companies that have mainly targeted specific warehouse tasks with narrow-scope solutions. Unlike some earlier solutions, Mytra claims larger pilot deployments and faster customer onboarding. Industry observers will be watching to see if this strategy leads to broader adoption than previous attempts at automating material flow.
How Does Mytra Tackle Efficiency in Warehousing?
Mytra’s system incorporates mobile robots, branded as Mytrabots, capable of moving and storing heavy pallets—each up to 1,360 kg—within a passive infrastructure design. These robots can maneuver vertically and horizontally, maximizing the use of warehouse volume and reportedly addressing commonly unused “dead space.” Furthermore, in-built inventory management software leverages AI, allowing operators to coordinate pallet storage, optimize queuing for trailer loading, and adapt easily to shifting demands.
What Results Have Early Deployments Shown?
Preliminary customer deployments have recorded notable operational changes, including a 32% reduction in material handling labor and a 34% increase in storage density. The system standardizes operations by defining workflows in software, making each storage location addressable and manageable by the platform. Mytra positions its automation as suitable for cross-docking and traditional storage, noting flexibility as a key advantage.
How Are Investors and Customers Reacting?
Since its founding in 2022, Mytra has expanded its list of customers to include a Fortune 100 food company and a Fortune 500 distributor, signing large-scale deployment agreements and going live at several sites. The company’s workforce grew by 78% over the past year, and it attracted board members with notable industry backgrounds. New and existing investors, including Avenir Growth, Kivu Ventures, and RyderVentures, participated in the latest funding round. Mytra states this capital will help accelerate deployments and bolster recruitment for strategic roles.
“We’re not building better warehouse robots; we’re rebuilding the infrastructure layer that every industrial process depends on,” said Chris Walti, Mytra co-founder and CEO.
“Material flow should work like cloud computing: abstracted, programmable, and continuously optimizing,” Walti added.
Warehouse automation has long been positioned as a solution to labor shortages and rising operational costs, yet most sites remain unautomated primarily due to high complexity and investment requirements. Mytra claims to offer a model that standardizes material flow in a software-centric fashion, differing from feature-specific robotics used by others. Buyers considering this technology should carefully assess the adaptability of platforms like Mytra’s, its integration with legacy systems, and its scalability for future growth. As adoption spreads, businesses may find tangible benefits through improved warehouse density and fewer labor constraints, though success will depend on execution, support, and adaptability. For operators seeking to maximize every cubic foot and automate manual labor, evaluating how platforms such as Mytrabots deliver measurable returns will be key to choosing the right system in an evolving automation landscape.
