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Amazon Tests Humanoid Robots for Delivery as Part of Expanding Automation Strategy

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Amazon is reportedly taking its automation ambitions to the next level, developing humanoid robots designed to assist with and potentially replace human delivery workers.

According to tech outlet The Information, the $2 trillion tech giant is constructing a dedicated “humanoid park” in the U.S., where robots will be tested in indoor environments before being deployed in the field.

The space, described as roughly the size of a coffee shop, is housed within an Amazon office in San Francisco and serves as an obstacle course to gauge how well these machines can navigate real-world delivery scenarios.

The goal? To create robots that can ride inside Amazon’s Rivian delivery vans and “spring out” to make deliveries. While human drivers may still be present, these robots could allow for multi-drop efficiency — for instance, enabling the robot to handle one address while the driver tackles another. It’s part of Amazon’s broader vision for streamlining the notoriously labor-intensive “last mile” of delivery.

Although Amazon is spearheading the development of the software that will power the robots’ artificial intelligence, it is reportedly relying on external companies to build the physical hardware.

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One such company is Agility Robotics, whose “Digit” robot has already been tested in Amazon warehouses. Agility’s CEO Peggy Johnson said in an earlier interview with The Guardian that Digit has enabled workers to offload tasks and transition into other roles.

“Employees who were previously doing this physical work appreciate the fact that they can hand that off to Digit. Then it allows them to do a number of other things, one of which is to be a robot manager.”

Sarah Franklin, the CEO of Lattice, a technology company based in the United States that offers a platform for human resources departments, stated that the workforce landscape is set to undergo significant transformation due to the influence of artificial intelligence.

Entry-level positions serve as the foundation of a workforce, with opportunities becoming increasingly selective as individuals progress into management and executive roles.

“AI can make this more of a diamond shape, where the entry levels are harder to get. The pace of innovation is outpacing education. That is a dangerous future if we don’t rapidly invest in ensuring that everyone is proficient with AI, especially entry-level workers.”

Amazon’s humanoid testing zone reportedly includes one of its more than 20,000 Rivian electric vans currently in operation across the U.S. Once the robots pass initial tests in the controlled indoor course, Amazon plans to send them on supervised “field trips” to deliver packages in real residential environments.

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The company’s ambitions in autonomous delivery aren’t limited to humanoids. Amazon has also invested heavily in self-driving technology via its Zoox subsidiary and has received clearance to test drone deliveries beyond the line of sight of human operators in the UK, a significant step toward drone-based logistics.

Experts say the vision is ambitious but not entirely out of reach. Professor Subramanian Ramamoorthy, chair of robot learning and autonomy at the University of Edinburgh, said Amazon’s interest in robotic last-mile delivery aligns with its deep investment in automation. While the field of humanoid robotics has made significant strides in recent years, Ramamoorthy noted that reliable outdoor performance remains a major hurdle.

Achieving consistent success outside of tightly controlled test environments, such as the so-called ‘humanoid park,’ is still a real challenge, he explained.

“If Amazon restricts the scope, which means using relatively clear driveways and standard layouts of doors and surroundings, then the task would be quite a bit simpler. As the environments become more complex and variable, and others enter the picture – such as pets and small children – the problems become harder.”

Still, with a robust internal robotics team and a growing ecosystem of AI and delivery infrastructure, Amazon seems well-positioned to be a frontrunner in the future of humanoid logistics — one where robots could soon be walking packages up to your doorstep.

automation

The Ultimate Impact of Intelligent Automation Will Not Just Be Measured by Its Efficiency, but Also by How It Will Uplift Humanity | Dr. Asish Banerjee

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From robot-assisted surgery to email spam filters, there is much we gain from artificial intelligence. However, people are often wary of systems that they don’t fully understand. Dr. Ashis Banerjee, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering and mechanical engineering at the University of Washington, has made it his mission to educate people about the ways in which automation can contribute to the betterment of humankind.

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Industrial Factory

What To Expect From CES 2020

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CES stands for “Computer Electronics Show,” and every year technology lovers and business owners alike get together to hear from some of the world’s biggest tech names about what’s to come in the next year. Smart TVs took the spotlight at last year’s CES event, giving high definition entertainment a whole new look with the implementation of 8K quality and curved screen technology. So what does CES 2020 have in store for the world’s digital future? 

“CES: Unveiled” was an event that took place the night before the actual show, in which reporters were able to come and get a first glimpse at all the new technology being introduced. This way they could gauge what gadgets, software, and trends would be the most talked about before the massive crowds flood the Las Vegas arena the following day. Remember, not all gadgets or concepts are released to the general public after CES, as some of the exhibits are meant to show technology lovers what some companies are striving to perfect in the future. 

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First up, Samsung wanted to keep riding the TV high that came from last year’s CES event, so they announced their new Sero TV. Sero TV was made with the mobile user in mind, as it literally turns to be vertical from traditional landscape mode when you hit a button. The orientation-changing television is meant to make mirroring from your phone much easier, and in this new age where a lot of online video content is modified to adjust to vertical mobile screens, this television wants to take that to the next level. 

Kohler, an appliance company, partnered with Amazon to bring the fantasy of a “smart home” even more to life with Alexa-powered showers. The two companies plan on releasing a shower head with Alexa enabled speaker technology for all of us who love to listen to music in the shower. Additionally, Kohler intends on releasing a lot more bathroom tech throughout 2020, including a new “intelligent” toilet system. 

CES tends to always have a robotic energy about it, quite literally. Every year new types of robo-friends are brought to the CES floor and this year will be no different. This year, CES will be introducing a bread-making robot, Sony’s Aibo Dog, and Buddy, the cute companion robot. Companion robots, and those that are meant to perform just one human task, such as bread making, are fairly common for this event. A cat robot, however, is new. 

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Startup company Elephant Robotics is developing a new robotic feline friend that they’re calling MarsCat. According to reports from CES: Unveiled, the “bionic feline can walk, stretch, play with toys, avoid obstacles and bite its nails. It can also recognize human faces and knows 20 commands and phrases, including ‘sit’ and ‘come here.’”

Segway has developed a new line of single-person transport systems called “Segway S-Pods.” The S-Pod is an electric pod meant for indoor travelling and can accelerate up to 24 miles per hour. Users control the speed and direction with a single knob on the arm rest of the pod. 

Colgate and Oral-B, two of the country’s top dental product providers, wanted to get a piece of the CES action this year, so they both announced their versions of “dental tech innovation.” The Oral-B iO electric toothbrush is meant to work with an app on your phone to tell you when you’re brushing your teeth too hard or too softly. The app also ensures that you’re brushing for a full two minutes, and are covering as much of your mouth’s surface area as possible. 

Colgate, on the other hand, is developing their own electric toothbrush that can detect any sort of “biofilm” build up in the gums. Additionally, it “notifies users when they need to brush longer in one area of their mouth. A light ring around the toothbrush will turn blue when buildup has been found. A white light displays when teeth are clean,” according to reports.

For the rest of what was announced during the CES: Unveiled event, click here. Media outlets will be posting all week about what new and exciting innovations come out of CES this year.