Fox Robotics, a company that builds self-driving forklifts, has closed a $9 million Series A led by Menlo Ventures.

According to Fox Robotics, the company makes self-driving forklifts that are “more flexible, more capable and safer” than current automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The company says that its forklifts are capable of handling challenging tasks that no other automation can handle, such as unloading trailers without modifying the warehouse environment.

An added advantage of Fox's forklifts is that it takes less than a day to get Fox's forklifts installed and running in a new warehouse. Fox says that typical AGV's usually weeks or months to integrate into a new warehouse. 

“We are proud to back the team at Fox Robotics,” says Mark Siegel, Partner at Menlo Ventures, an active investor in automation.

“The company's value proposition is clear: Their full-stack solution for self-driving forklifts that can increase workplace productivity 200 to 300 percent. They bring huge efficiency to the supply chain.”

Fox uses technology that is similar to what is used in a self-driving car, customized for the warehouse environment. Fox’s forklifts use modern artificial intelligence for real-time detection of pallets, trailers and obstacles, and they don't need pre-programmed fixed locations. The forklifts plan routes on the fly using sensors and dynamic planning, and don’t require hand-drawn or memorized routes.

Fox says that this investment will allow it to increase production to meet existing demand. The company notes that since last October, it has been conducting pilots with large logistics companies.

“The market for warehouse automation is huge and growing. The future of warehouse automation isn't fixed automation systems that cost several hundred million dollars. It's mobile robots that are low-cost, flexible and can be deployed incrementally and quickly,” says Charles DuHadway, CEO of Fox Robotics.

“I'm excited to be working with Mark and Menlo Ventures alongside our existing investors as we make robots that work.”