Amazon has introduced its first robot with a sense of touch that it says heralds a “fundamental leap forward in robotics”.
The new Vulcan robot was officially unveiled at Amazon’s Delivering the Future event in Dortmund, Germany.
Under trial for the past year at warehouses in Germany and the US, it represents a step change from typical “numb and dumb” industrial robots. With its robotic arm and grabbing tool, Vulcan uses “force feedback sensors” to grab and stow items without causing damage.
“Vulcan represents a fundamental leap forward in robotics,” said Aaron Parness, Amazon director of applied science. “It’s not just seeing the world – it’s feeling it, enabling capabilities that were impossible for Amazon robots until now.”
Vulcan will join the wide array of robots already in use in Amazon warehouses and fulfilment centres around the world to pick up and move items.
A typical fulfilment centre features multiple rows of shelving units or inventory pods that contain compartments about...