The robot, called Proteus, is set to make its first appearance in fulfillment and triage centers soon. Amazon’s first fully autonomous mobile robot for warehouses will operate quite differently from the assistive robots used so far. Because unlike other warehouse bots, Proteus can safely work alongside people and thus can be used in all areas.
Proteus: Do not use only in …
… encirclement areas
The e-commerce giant stated years ago that one of the goals was to build warehouse bots that don’t replace people, but stand by them. Proteus aims to meet these expectations.
“In the past, it was difficult to safely integrate robots into the same physical space as humans,” he explains. Amazon in a blog post. “We believe Proteus will change that while maintaining intelligence, security, and collaboration.”
Proteus Proteus: The Standalone Amazon Warehouse Robot
The cornerstone of Kiva Systems
About ten years ago, Amazon announced its acquisition of robotics company Kiva Systems, thus building its own robotics business. Research in the past few years has now helped the independent approach. Proteus’ advanced safety, sensing and navigation technologies allow it to move around people independently while working, so it doesn’t have to be restricted to certain areas.
Ease of routine work
Also, new technology makes some business steps unnecessary. Currently, all packages are screened at distribution centers and at every destination along their journey. At the fulfillment centers, this check is currently performed manually: the shipment arrives at the workstation, and the package is removed from the container by the employee. Then an employee scans the barcode with a handheld scanner.
The newly developed AR ID eliminates the need for barcodes and manual scanning with a 120fps camera system. While the employee – or Proteus bot – is sorting a packet, all necessary data is recorded by the camera system at all times. The Cardinal robotic arm will be launched along with the Proteus, which can carry packs of up to 50 pounds (about 23 kg) to do the heavy lifting.
Amazon is expected to start using the new technology in its fulfillment centers from next year.
Go to Amazon Prime Membership Try it now for free for 30 days!
See also:
