humanoid warehouse robots being tested
human-like robot is carrying an empty box. (photo: screenshot)
by staff reporters
u.s. e-commerce giant amazon is deploying a human-like robot, named digit, in a warehouse to perform repetitive manual tasks, such as shifting empty tote boxes, and work collaboratively with employees.
digit can move, grasp, and handle items in spaces and corners of warehouses in novel ways. its size and shape are well-suited for buildings that are designed for humans.
the addition of the automated robots, which walk around on two legs, pick up large trays and move them elsewhere, is for "freeing employees up to better deliver".
however, the move is still a trial run and the robot is a prototype, as amazon seeks to see if they can work safely alongside human employees.
amazon revealed its intelligent robotic system, sparrow in 2022, which streamlines the work fulfillment process by moving individual products before they get packaged.
sparrow is the first robotic system in amazon’s warehouses that can detect, select, and handle individual products in its inventory. sparrow represents a significant advancement in the state-of-the-art technology of industrial robotics, leveraging computer vision and ai to recognize and handle millions of items.
