Amazon Unveils Warehouse Robot Equipped with 'Touch' Sense

Amazon has unveiled its latest innovation in warehouse technology: Vulcan, a two-armed robot designed to interact with goods in a surprisingly tactile way. Dubbed as a robot that can "feel," Vulcan uses force sensors to detect when it touches items, enhancing its ability to handle products with care.

With one arm dedicated to reorganizing items within storage compartments, Vulcan's second arm, equipped with both a camera and a suction cup, takes on the task of picking up items. This dual-arm approach allows for efficient management of goods within Amazon's vast warehouses.

What sets Vulcan apart is its training on physical data, which includes force and touch feedback. This training enables Vulcan to handle approximately 75% of Amazon's inventory. Moreover, Vulcan isn't static; it's designed to self-improve over time, adapting to new challenges and increasing its efficiency.

Already deployed in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, Vulcan has successfully processed half a million orders. This rollout marks a significant step in Amazon's ongoing effort to integrate advanced robotics into its operations.

Amazon's Growing Robotics Fleet

Vulcan joins a vast array of robots that Amazon employs across its global network of storage facilities. With hundreds of thousands of robots at work, Amazon's use of robotics is a testament to its commitment to streamlining operations.

Despite criticism that Amazon's investment in robotics might be aimed at replacing human workers, the company maintains that this isn't their intention. Instead, Amazon argues that robots like Vulcan enhance safety in their warehouses, creating a more secure working environment for their human staff.