Amazon Unveils ‘Vulcan’, Robot for Warehouses
Amazon has introduced its most advanced warehouse robot to date, named ‘Vulcan’, at its “Delivering the Future” event in Dortmund, Germany.
Vulcan is designed to support human workers by handling complex and physically demanding tasks, with a standout feature: it can “feel” objects it touches.
Key Features of Vulcan
Sense of Touch: Vulcan is equipped with force-feedback sensors and AI-driven tooling, enabling it to gauge the amount of pressure applied when handling items.
This tactile capability allows Vulcan to manipulate a wide variety of objects, including those with irregular shapes, without causing damage.
Enhanced Efficiency: The robot can pick and stow approximately 75% of the items typically found in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
It is capable of operating 20-hour shifts, assisting human workers by retrieving items from high or low bins, thereby reducing physical strain and improving overall efficiency.
Vulcan improves on picking and storing items on high 8-foot shelves—tasks that typically require ladders—reducing strain and enhancing safety for workers.
Human-Robot Collaboration: Amazon highlights that Vulcan is designed to work alongside human workers, not replace them. By handling repetitive tasks, it lets employees focus on more complex work, improving safety and productivity.
Amazon also notes that its robots have created new job categories and offers training for staff to transition into robotics roles.
The company said the development of the latest robot was sparked by a desire to free up time for human staff and improve safety and efficiency.
Amazon has increased the number of robots in its warehouses from 350,000 in 2021 to more than 750,000 today. Reports claim they could save the tech giant up to $10 billion a year by 2030.
The Future of Logistics
Similar to Amazon’s Vulcan, several companies have introduced advanced robots to transform warehouse operations.
For example, Geek+, a logistics robotics company, unveiled its Picker Robot, designed to automate the picking and sorting of items in large-scale warehouses.
Similarly, Locus Robotics introduced its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that work alongside human workers, improving productivity and reducing strain.
Knapp’s OSR Shuttle Evo is another system that uses advanced automation for fast, flexible order picking and storage.
These innovations, like Amazon’s Vulcan, aim to optimize warehouse efficiency, reduce labor costs, and enhance worker safety by automating routine tasks.
News Gist
Amazon has unveiled Vulcan, its most advanced warehouse robot, designed to assist human workers by handling complex tasks with tactile sensing.
Vulcan can pick and store items, including those on high shelves, enhancing efficiency and safety.
Amazon’s robots have increased from 350,000 to 750,000, potentially saving $10 billion annually by 2030.