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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Collaborative robotics to drive greater societal impact: Amazon's Brady
Amazon sees a future centered around 'collaborative robotics' where machines are geared to amplify human capability and potential, rather than replace them, according to Tye Brady, chief technologist at the e-commerce giant's robotics unit. Amazon, which recently deployed one-millionth robot in its global operations and introduced 'DeepFleet', an AI technology to optimally coordinate movement of robots across fulfilment network (its intelligent warehouses), asserts that robotics will play a key role in building more capable societies. The company has grown from deploying a single robot type that moved inventory shelves across warehouse floors in 2012, to operating a diverse fleet of robots aimed at boosting operational efficiency. Amazon's lineup of robots includes 'Hercules', which can lift and move up to 1,250 pounds of inventory, 'Pegasus' robots that use precision conveyor belts to handle individual packages, and 'Proteus'. 'Proteus', in fact, is a fully autonomous mobile robot, that navigates around employees in open and unrestricted areas of Amazon sites while moving heavy carts filled with customer orders. "I really believe that over the long term, we will have physical AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems that we are pioneering which will really change society for the better," Tye Brady, chief technologist at Amazon Robotics, told reporters. The future of robotics will ride on collaboration, that is, building machines that extend human capability and amplify human potential, Brady said, adding that Amazon sees robotics amplifying human impact, not replacing humans. "We are pioneering a new body of work that we call 'collaborative robotics' and I really see that in the future. How can we build our machines to extend human capability, human potential? How can we build machines that are tools for people to use, for them to gain more efficiencies, whether you're at work or at home. I think the work that we're doing today in our fulfilment centres is forerunner to a greater societal impact that robotics will have with the mindset of putting people at the centre of robotics universe," he said. Speaking to reporters recently on the sidelines of Amazon 'Delivering the Future' event in Tokyo, that showcased the company's latest innovations and technologies, Brady emphasised that the future isn't about people competing with machines, but rather about people and machines working together. "It's not people versus machines but it is people and machines working together. And the onus is on us, the roboticists, to build those machines in a way that people naturally want to use, in a way that creates a safer environment, and to build them in a way that's efficient and more productive for our customers," he said. Amazon last week announced it has deployed 1 millionth robot, building on its position as the world's largest manufacturer and operator of mobile robotics. The robot was recently delivered to a fulfilment centre in Japan, joining global network that now spans over 300 facilities globally. It also introduced a new generative AI foundation model to make the fleet of robots smarter and more efficient. Christened DeepFleet, the AI technology will coordinate the movement of robots across fulfilment network, improving the travel time of robotic fleet by 10 per cent and enabling the company to deliver packages to customers faster and at lower costs, Amazon said. The company likened DeepFleet to a smart traffic control system. Much like intelligent traffic systems streamline car routes in a busy city and reduce delays for drivers, DeepFleet optimises robot movement, minimising congestion, raising efficiency, and boosting processing of customer orders, as per the company. On public apprehensions about robots and AI eventually displacing global workforce, Brady said while change can feel uncomfortable to some, AI is the most transformative technology in his career. "I've been in robotics for a while. It has taken us a long time to get to this stage where we're actually doing utility and function with our machines that enable people to do things more efficiently, more safely. So, I would say the future is very bright," Brady said, advocating that human potential can, indeed, be optimised through machines.
Mint
06-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Collaborative robotics will drive greater societal impact with people at centre: Amazon Robotics chief
New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) Amazon sees a future centred around 'collaborative robotics' where machines are geared to amplify human capability and potential, rather than replace them, according to Tye Brady, chief technologist at the e-commerce giant's robotics unit. Amazon, which recently deployed one-millionth robot in its global operations and introduced 'DeepFleet', an AI technology to optimally coordinate movement of robots across fulfilment network (its intelligent warehouses), asserts that robotics will play a key role in building more capable societies. You may be interested in The company has grown from deploying a single robot type that moved inventory shelves across warehouse floors in 2012, to operating a diverse fleet of robots aimed at boosting operational efficiency. Amazon's lineup of robots includes 'Hercules', which can lift and move up to 1,250 pounds of inventory, 'Pegasus' robots that use precision conveyor belts to handle individual packages, and 'Proteus'. 'Proteus', in fact, is a fully autonomous mobile robot, that navigates around employees in open and unrestricted areas of Amazon sites while moving heavy carts filled with customer orders. "I really believe that over the long term, we will have physical AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems that we are pioneering which will really change society for the better," Tye Brady, chief technologist at Amazon Robotics, told reporters. The future of robotics will ride on collaboration, that is, building machines that extend human capability and amplify human potential, Brady said, adding that Amazon sees robotics amplifying human impact, not replacing humans. "We are pioneering a new body of work that we call 'collaborative robotics' and I really see that in the future. How can we build our machines to extend human capability, human potential? How can we build machines that are tools for people to use, for them to gain more efficiencies, whether you're at work or at home. I think the work that we're doing today in our fulfilment centres is forerunner to a greater societal impact that robotics will have with the mindset of putting people at the centre of robotics universe," he said. Speaking to reporters recently on the sidelines of Amazon 'Delivering the Future' event in Tokyo, that showcased the company's latest innovations and technologies, Brady emphasised that the future isn't about people competing with machines, but rather about people and machines working together. "It's not people versus machines but it is people and machines working together. And the onus is on us, the roboticists, to build those machines in a way that people naturally want to use, in a way that creates a safer environment, and to build them in a way that's efficient and more productive for our customers," he said. Amazon last week announced it has deployed 1 millionth robot, building on its position as the world's largest manufacturer and operator of mobile robotics. The robot was recently delivered to a fulfilment centre in Japan, joining global network that now spans over 300 facilities globally. It also introduced a new generative AI foundation model to make the fleet of robots smarter and more efficient. Christened DeepFleet, the AI technology will coordinate the movement of robots across fulfilment network, improving the travel time of robotic fleet by 10 per cent and enabling the company to deliver packages to customers faster and at lower costs, Amazon said. The company likened DeepFleet to a smart traffic control system. Much like intelligent traffic systems streamline car routes in a busy city and reduce delays for drivers, DeepFleet optimises robot movement, minimising congestion, raising efficiency, and boosting processing of customer orders, as per the company. On public apprehensions about robots and AI eventually displacing global workforce, Brady said while change can feel uncomfortable to some, AI is the most transformative technology in his career. "I've been in robotics for a while. It has taken us a long time to get to this stage where we're actually doing utility and function with our machines that enable people to do things more efficiently, more safely. So, I would say the future is very bright," Brady said, advocating that human potential can, indeed, be optimised through machines.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Amazon's Robot Workforce Hits Ominous Milestone
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amazon now has more than one million robots operating inside its warehouses, nearly equaling the number of human workers. Amazon's expanding fleet of robots includes: Hercules, a lifter capable of handling 1,250 pounds; Pegasus, which sorts packages on conveyor belts; and Proteus, the company's first fully autonomous robot able to operate directly alongside people. The robots are especially productive in same-day delivery hubs where fewer human workers are employed and speed is crucial. An Amazon logo is displayed outside an Amazon Delivery Station on April 25, 2025 in San Diego, California. An Amazon logo is displayed outside an Amazon Delivery Station on April 25, 2025 in San Diego, a new report, the Wall Street Journal wrote, "Robots are also supplanting some employees, helping the company to slow hiring. "Amazon employs about 1.56 million people overall, with the majority working in warehouses. "The average number of employees Amazon had per facility last year, roughly 670, was the lowest recorded in the past 16 years, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis, which compared the company's reported workforce with estimates of its facility count." As per TechRadar, Amazon has claimed that productivity in these high-tech facilities is roughly 25% faster than in traditional warehouses. Amazon's Robotics Solutions In a statement to Newsweek, an Amazon spokesperson said, "Our robotics solutions are designed to automate tasks in an effort to continue improving safety, reducing repetition, and freeing our employees up to deliver for customers in more skilled ways. "Since introducing robots within Amazon's operations, we've continued to hire hundreds of thousands of employees to work in our facilities and created many new job categories worldwide, including positions like flow control specialists, floor monitors, and reliability maintenance engineers." The Expansion of AI In a press release, Amazon's VP of Robotics Scott Dresser explained that a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) Model will help the company increase robot mobility by 10%. "Called DeepFleet, this AI technology will coordinate the movement of robots across our fulfillment network, improving the travel time of our robotic fleet by 10% and enabling us to deliver packages to customers faster and at lower costs," Dresser noted. "These robots work alongside our employees, handling heavy lifting and repetitive tasks while creating new opportunities for our front-line operators to develop technical skills. "I'm particularly proud that since 2019, we've helped upskill more than 700,000 employees through various training initiatives, many focused on working with advanced technologies." 'We will need fewer people' At the same time, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy offered a more direct message in a letter to employees, warning that the expansion of AI across the company will lead to a leaner corporate workforce. In the letter, cited by Newsweek, he wrote, "As we roll out more Generative AI and agents, it should change the way our work is done. "We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs." Critics Say Worker Cuts Are About Cost, Not Innovation Jassy's statement drew criticism from labor advocates and consultants who believe Amazon is prioritizing cost-cutting over employment. Speaking with Newsweek, Human Resources consultant Bryan Driscoll said, "The letter reads as a masterclass in spin. And this move isn't about leaner teams or working smarter. "It's about replacing human labor with machines - employees without the headache of dealing with humans, wages, benefits, and compliance." He added, "The company openly admits AI will reduce its total workforce but frames that as a net gain for customer experience - at least from those customers who can still afford to buy things. "What it actually means is that tens of thousands of people will lose their jobs not because they weren't performing, but because they can be replaced by a cheaper worker." Newsweek has contacted Amazon for comment via email. Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@ We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek. To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.
Mint
02-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Amazon's warehouses are now home to over one million robots, matching the number of human employees
Amazon's warehouses are no longer just filled with people, they are now home to nearly as many robots as human workers. If you picture an Amazon warehouse, you might imagine rows of workers rushing to pack orders. These days, though, you'd see something different: robots are everywhere, and the number of machines is catching up to the number of people. According to The Wall Street Journal, Amazon now has over one million robots working in its warehouses, nearly matching its global workforce of about 1.56 million. That's a huge shift from just a decade ago. Robots at Amazon aren't just rolling around for show. They're sorting, picking, and moving items, handling a big chunk of the grunt work. Some, like the Vulcan robot, can pluck products from shelves with surprising precision. Others, like Proteus, glide across the warehouse floor, dodging obstacles and hauling heavy carts to loading docks. Roughly three-quarters of Amazon's global deliveries now involve robotics in some way, so there's a good chance a robot played a part in getting your last order to your door. With so many robots taking over repetitive tasks, Amazon doesn't need as many people on the warehouse floor as it once did. The average number of employees per facility has dropped to about 670, the lowest in 16 years. Meanwhile, each worker is expected to handle far more packages than before, with productivity per employee jumping from 175 packages a year in 2015 to nearly 3,870 last year. Amazon's CEO, Andy Jassy, has been upfront that as more AI and robotics are rolled out, fewer people will be needed for certain roles going forward. Amazon often points to its efforts to retrain staff, saying more than 700,000 employees have moved into roles like robot technician or system manager. But the reality is not everyone can or wants to make that leap, and the overall demand for traditional warehouse labour is shrinking as automation spreads. For many workers, this shift brings uncertainty about job security and what the future holds, even as the company highlights upskilling programmes. Amazon's move towards automation started in 2012, when it bought Kiva Systems, a company that made robots for moving inventory around warehouses. Since then, robots have become a fixture, with new models and AI systems introduced every year to make warehouses run faster and more efficiently. Now, humans and machines work side by side, but the balance is shifting. Looking ahead, it's clear Amazon will keep doubling down on automation, with robots taking over more routine work. This might mean even faster deliveries for shoppers, but it also means fewer traditional jobs and more pressure on workers to adapt or move on. While Amazon's approach is reshaping warehouse work, it's also raising tough questions about the future of labour in an industry that's changing faster than ever.
Entrepreneur
01-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Amazon 'Employs' as Many Robots as People in Warehouses
Amazon is now using more than one million robots in its warehouses, the most it has ever deployed, and there are now nearly as many robots in Amazon facilities as there are people, according to The Wall Street Journal. Robots assist in a variety of functions, ranging from sorting items to packaging them for shipment. For example, a new robot named Vulcan can select products from different shelves to be packaged. Amazon told the WSJ that 75% of its global deliveries, or three in four packages, are facilitated in some way by robotics. Related: Amazon Tells Thousands of Employees to Relocate or Resign As Amazon relies more on robots for order fulfillment, it needs fewer human employees on staff. Amazon employs about 1.56 million people, with most working in warehouses. According to a WSJ analysis, the average number of employees per Amazon facility dropped to 670 people per warehouse last year, the lowest count in the past 16 years. It also found that Amazon employees are now more productive than they were a decade ago — the number of packages shipped per employee has skyrocketed from 175 in 2015 to about 3,870 last year. Amazon leadership confirmed that the company is using AI to improve operations in its warehouses and potentially cut down its number of employees. In a memo to employees sent last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that the company was "using AI to improve inventory placement, demand forecasting, and the efficiency of our robots." Related: Amazon Is Expanding Same-Day Delivery to Thousands of Small Towns and Rural Areas Jassy wrote that as Amazon rolls out more AI features to its robots, the company "will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today," which will "reduce" Amazon's workforce over the "next few years." Still, the company told the WSJ that it has trained more than 700,000 workers globally through apprenticeships for jobs that involve working with robots, such as robot technicians. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images Amazon began incorporating robotics into its operations over a decade ago, when it bought robotics company Kiva Systems for $775 million in 2012. Kiva made robots that moved bulky, unpackaged items around a facility. Since the acquisition, Amazon has introduced new robots, such as Proteus, its first fully autonomous mobile robot that can move freely throughout a warehouse. Proteus, which Amazon debuted in 2022, uses sensors to detect and navigate around objects in its path. It can lift as much as 880 pounds. Its task is to move heavy carts with packages to a loading dock, where packages can then be loaded onto trucks. Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the U.S., after Walmart. It is the fourth most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization of over $2.3 trillion.
