Amazon’s Humanoid Robots in Warehouses: A Step Towards Warehouse Automation
Amazon, the e-commerce behemoth, is making significant strides in warehouse automation with the introduction of humanoid robots. Here’s a comprehensive look at the company’s latest venture based on information from various news sources:
1. Introduction to Amazon’s Humanoid Robot
- Name: The robot is named “Digit.”
- Appearance: Digit is a humanoid robot, meaning it resembles a human in appearance and movement. It has arms and legs, enabling it to move, grasp, and handle items similarly to humans.
- Developer: The robot is a product of Agility Robotics, an Oregon-based startup. Amazon had previously invested in this company.
- Purpose: Amazon emphasizes that the primary goal of introducing Digit is to work collaboratively with human employees, especially in tasks that are highly repetitive.
2. Features and Capabilities
- Mobility: Unlike many robots that rely on wheels, Digit is bipedal, meaning it walks on two legs. This feature allows it to navigate human-centric environments, including tackling steps and stairs.
- Functionality: Digit is designed to pick up and move packages, containers, and customer orders. Its primary task, as of now, is to assist employees with the recycling of totes (containers) after they’ve been emptied of inventory.
- Improvements: Since its initial introduction in 2019 as a potential delivery robot, Digit has undergone several enhancements to increase its mobility and agility.
3. Amazon’s Perspective
- Not a Replacement: Amazon insists that the introduction of humanoid robots like Digit is not to replace human workers. Instead, the company views these robots as a means to free up employees for other tasks, allowing them to deliver better services to customers.
- Collaboration: The company’s vision is to have robots work alongside humans. Amazon currently boasts over 750,000 robots working collaboratively with its employees, handling repetitive tasks.
- Job Creation: Contrary to fears of job losses due to automation, Amazon claims that its robotics systems have helped create hundreds of thousands of new jobs within its operations.
4. Other Technological Introductions
- Sequoia: Amazon has introduced another robotic system named Sequoia at one of its warehouses in Houston, Texas. This wheel-based robot can identify and store inventory 75% faster, reducing order processing time by up to 25%.
- Automation Vision: While there’s speculation about Amazon aiming for fully automated warehouses, the company’s Robotics’ chief technologist, Tye Brady, refuted such claims, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of human workers.
5. Feedback and Concerns
- Union’s View: Some trade unions have expressed concerns about Amazon’s rapid automation. They argue that the company has been treating its workers like robots for years and that automation could lead to significant job losses.
- Amazon’s Rebuttal: In response, Amazon highlights its commitment to creating new job opportunities. The company points out that it has introduced hundreds of thousands of robotic systems while simultaneously creating an equal number of new jobs.
6. Future Prospects
Agility Robotics, the developer of Digit, plans to open a new robot factory in Salem, Oregon, with the capacity to produce over 10,000 robots annually. They also aim to make Digit available to partners by next year and expect general availability by 2025.
Sources: Digital Trends, BBC, PCMag, Bloomberg