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Amazon’s AI-powered robots to revolutionise warehouse automation

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Photo: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com

Amazon has introduced a new fleet of robots equipped with advanced capabilities and human-like dexterity to revolutionise its fulfilment centres. The company’s ambitious initiative aims to balance automation and human labour, transforming how products are handled within its facilities.

One of the standout robots is Proteus, an expressive and friendly-faced robot that collaborates with human workers in a warehouse in Reading, Massachusetts. Proteus, equipped with lidar sensors and colour displays that communicate its emotions and task completion, navigates seamlessly around objects and people.

Another notable addition is Sparrow, a robot to pick and place products. Leveraging machine learning and cameras, Sparrow demonstrates the potential to handle a significant portion of Amazon’s vast inventory.

These cutting-edge advancements in robotics have already begun reshaping Amazon’s fulfilment centres, leading to the evolution of job roles and increased efficiency. As the deployment of these robots expands, certain jobs will be eliminated while new ones will emerge. This shift has prompted Amazon’s competitors to consider adapting or facing potential consequences in an increasingly automated industry.

While Amazon has faced criticism concerning workplace safety and labour issues, the accelerated adoption of robotics offers potential solutions to some of these challenges. The company recognises the need for a workplace dedicated to manufacturing and maintaining these robots and has expanded its operations in robot manufacturing and maintenance with a dedicated facility in Westborough, Massachusetts.

Robots have changed the warehousing scenario all over the world. | Source: Amazon

With a fleet of over 750,000 mobile robots spread across its fulfilment centres worldwide, Amazon’s use of automation is poised for rapid growth. These robots, including the initial ones acquired from Kiva Systems, have become integral to the company’s operations. However, it is important to note that humans still play a crucial role in building and overseeing these automated systems.

While concerns arise regarding job displacement, Amazon emphasises a collaborative approach, with robots and humans working together to focus on higher-level tasks. Human workers possess unique skills such as problem-solving, fine manipulation, and decision-making abilities that current robots cannot replicate. Human-robot collaboration is proving to be more effective than a fully automated system, ensuring a harmonious integration of technology and human expertise.

As Amazon continues to refine and expand its automation efforts, the impact on the workforce remains uncertain. While certain tasks may be automated to alleviate worker shortages, jobs requiring complex manipulation and adaptability to unforeseen circumstances still rely on human capabilities. The future role of robots in the warehouse workforce is expected to grow, but it is clear that the human workforce’s value and well-being must be prioritised as technology advances.

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Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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