Big Idea

Automating Logistics

Machine learning start-up, Locus, is aiming for offline businesses after automating logistics for e-commerce players 

Photograph by RA Chandroo

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Nishith Rastogi, CEO, Locus, seems to have internalised Arthur C. Clarke’s insightful observation. His current goal is to eliminate all human decisions from the process of transporting a shipment from point A to point B. His long-term vision however, is much more audacious. He envisions a world where one day, humans themselves can be eradicated from logistics management, with the aid of machine learning algorithms, self-driving vehicles and mechanical arms. And if everything goes according to plan, Bengaluru-based Locus, a machine learning start-up that helps enterprises automate intra-city scheduled and on-demand delivery, will be a big part of that inevitable transformation.