Amazon says new warehouse robot can ‘feel' items, but won't replace workers

Core Insights - Amazon has introduced a new warehouse robot named Vulcan, which features a sense of touch, enabling it to perform tasks previously done by humans [3][10] - Vulcan can manipulate 75% of the 1 million unique items in Amazon's Spokane warehouse and operates at a speed comparable to human workers [1][5] - The introduction of Vulcan is aimed at creating higher-skilled jobs rather than replacing human workers, with a focus on reducing injury rates in warehouses [4][6] Technology and Functionality - Vulcan utilizes an AI-powered sensor to determine the precise pressure and torque needed for handling various items [2] - The robot is designed to operate 20 hours a day and can handle items weighing up to 8 pounds [1][5] - It operates in a segregated area to minimize the risk of accidents with human workers [5] Workforce Impact - Amazon has invested $1.2 billion in upskilling 350,000 workers since 2019, with some workers seeing pay increases of about 40% after participating in training programs [6][7] - The company emphasizes that Vulcan will not lead to full automation of warehouses, as human workers will continue to play a crucial role [4][6] Business Opportunities - The development of Vulcan has expanded the team from a few individuals to over 250 employees in three years, indicating significant growth potential [8] - Vulcan's ability to reduce errors in order fulfillment could lead to substantial cost savings for Amazon, particularly in minimizing product returns [9] Future Plans - Currently, Vulcan is fully operational only in Spokane, with plans to expand its deployment to more U.S. and German facilities by 2026 [10]