Amazon’s new robotic arm is capable of handling and sorting millions of unique items — a major milestone for the e-commerce giant — and a sign that it could one day replace large numbers of its human warehouse workers.
The robotic arm called Sparrow is powered by a combination of artificial intelligence, computer vision and suction cups. It is able to deftly pick up and move objects that vary in shape, size, and texture.
Though the company has long offered a range of different automations in its gargantuan fulfillment centers, Sparrow is the first Amazon robot that can recognize so many items, potentially eliminating the need for many warehouse workers in the future.
Amazon’s new robotic arm is capable of handling and sorting millions of unique items – a major milestone for the e-commerce giant
The robotic arm called Sparrow is powered by a combination of artificial intelligence, computer vision and suction cups. It is able to deftly pick up and move objects that vary in shape, size, and texture
Though the company has long offered a range of different automations in its gargantuan fulfillment centers, Sparrow is the first Amazon robot that can recognize so many items, potentially eliminating the need for many warehouse workers in the future
In the past year, Amazon employees — with the help of technological tools and automation — picked, stowed, or packed approximately 5 billion packages — or over 13 million packages per day.
The robotic arm can identify about 65% of Amazon’s total inventory, the company told CNBC. Prior to this invention, only human workers could provide this type of more nuanced product identification.
The company states that robotic technology enables its employees to “work smarter, not harder” and “work efficiently and safely.”
“Working with our employees, Sparrow will handle repetitive tasks, allowing our employees to focus their time and energy on other things while improving safety,” the company said in a blog post.
‘At the same time, Sparrow will help us increase efficiency by automating a critical part of our fulfillment process so we can continue to deliver for our customers.’
How quickly Sparrow will be integrated into Amazon’s warehouse is not yet clear. As Bloomberg notes, many of the company’s products are housed in wire shelving, which may not be compatible with this type of robotic arm.
Amazon notes that the creation and deployment of existing robotics and new technologies have created more than 700 new job categories at the company.
“These new types of roles employing tens of thousands of people at Amazon help provide a tangible demonstration of the positive impact technology and robotics can have on our people and our workplace,” the Seattle-based company says in a blog post .
The robotic arm can identify about 65% of Amazon’s total inventory, the company told CNBC. Prior to this invention, only human workers could provide this type of more nuanced product identification
“Working with our employees, Sparrow will handle repetitive tasks, allowing our employees to focus their time and energy on other things while improving safety,” the company said in a blog post.
“Supporting our employees and helping them transition and advance their careers in roles that work with our technology is an important part of our continued innovation,” says Amazon.
Amazon also offers internal offerings for employees who want to increase their understanding of robotics, including a 12-week classroom training program covered by the company, 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, and recognized certifications.
It states that once the program is completed, employee salaries will increase by approximately 40% for participants.