The new Amazon fulfillment robot has a sense of touch.
The company presented Vulcan during its event "Delivering the Future."
In the last decade, Amazon has integrated over 750,000 robots into its fulfillment centers, but now it has introduced an innovative and more delicate addition: Vulcan, its first touch-sensitive robot. This launch took place at the "Delivering the Future" event held in Germany, where several new robots were introduced.
Vulcan is equipped with force feedback sensors that allow it to monitor the pressure with which it grasps or pushes an object, thereby minimizing the risk of damage. Aaron Parness, director of applied science at Amazon, explained that in the past, industrial robots could not detect unexpected contacts, often resulting in emergency stops or even damage to the object in question. With Vulcan, the advancement in robotics becomes evident as it not only "watches" the environment but also "feels," acquiring capabilities that were previously impossible for the company's robots.
In addition to its physical design, Vulcan incorporates artificial intelligence that is trained with data about touch and force. It uses algorithms to determine which objects it can handle, recognize different products, and optimize space in the fulfillment center. So far, it has interacted with thousands of objects, from electronics to items like socks, and it is programmed to learn from its mistakes, improving its skills over time.
In a context where Amazon has faced criticism regarding worker safety, the company asserts that the introduction of Vulcan aims to enhance both efficiency and workplace safety. This robot is designed to handle inventory on the upper rows of storage shelves, about two and a half meters high, meaning employees will spend less time on ladders or bending down and more time working at ground level. Amazon has confirmed that Vulcan is already operational in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany.