Amazon has unveiled Vulcan, a warehouse robot that uses touch sensing to rummage around shelves and find products for shipping, marking a significant step towards automating work previously done by humans.
Introducing _Vulcan: Amazon’s Robot with a Sense of Touch_****
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into robotics to enhance their capabilities.
AI algorithms enable robots to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, and make decisions autonomously.
This fusion has led to improved efficiency, accuracy, and safety in various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.
For instance, AI-powered robots can perform complex tasks like assembly, inspection, and surgery with precision.
According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global AI in robotics market is projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 44.6%.
As AI technology advances, its applications in robotics will continue to expand, transforming industries and revolutionizing the way we work.
Amazon has developed a new warehouse robot called Vulcan, which uses touch sensing to rummage around shelves and find products to ship to customers. This significant step towards automating more work done by humans inside Amazon’s fulfillment centers may lead to robots being less ‘sausage-fingered’ compared to human beings.
The Vulcan system consists of a conventional robotic arm with a custom spatula-like appendage for poking into shelves and a sucker for grabbing items to pull them out. The robot has sensors on several joints that allow it to detect the edges and contours of items, which are then interpreted by machine learning algorithms to make sense of the sensor signals.
Vulcan was revealed at a fulfillment center in Hamburg, Germany, where it is already working alongside human pickers. The company aims to spare humans from back-aching work by grasping more items from shelves that are high up or down low. If the robot cannot find an item, it will be reassigned to human workers.
Experts say that research on robotic touch sensing has advanced in recent years, with numerous groups working on joint and surface sensing. However, robots still have a way to go before they can match the tactile abilities of humans. Vulcan should help automate more work currently done by humans inside Amazon’s vast empire of fulfillment centers.
While the increased use of robots may raise concerns around automation eliminating human jobs, some studies suggest that it can create new roles as productivity increases. Amazon plans to give other robots similar sensing capabilities to Vulcan, which should improve their abilities. The company may also be developing new AI algorithms that make its robots smarter.
Amazon has been at the forefront of adopting robotics in its operations.
The company started investing heavily in robotics research and development in the early 2010s, with a focus on improving efficiency and reducing costs.
According to Amazon's own estimates, its robotic workforce has grown from just a few dozen robots in 2014 to over 100,000 today.
These robots are used across various facilities, including warehouses, fulfillment centers, and even delivery stations.
The Future of Manufacturing and Robotics
Bringing manufacturing back to US shores, including the iPhone assembly work, would require greater use of robots – especially systems with touchy-feely skills needed to manipulate small, intricate components. Adding touch-sensor data to the training mix could perhaps help speed things up.
With Vulcan, Amazon has taken a significant step towards making its robots less ‘sausage-fingered’ compared to human beings. As research on robotic touch sensing continues to advance, we can expect to see more robots like Vulcan being developed in the future.
Robotic touch sensing enables robots to perceive and interact with their environment through tactile feedback.
This technology involves equipping robots with sensors that detect touch, pressure, and vibrations, allowing them to adapt to various textures and surfaces.
Applications include assembly lines, healthcare, and search and rescue missions.
According to a study, robotic touch sensing can improve efficiency by 25% in manufacturing processes.
Researchers are also exploring its potential for prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons.
- wired.com | Amazon Has Made a Robot With a Sense of Touch
