Amazon.com Inc. introduced a new warehouse robot named Vulcan, which it says will improve fulfillment speed and reduce physical strain for workers.

Vulcan is Amazon’s first robot equipped with a sense of touch, according to Alex Davies, senior editor at AboutAmazon.com. In a corporate blog post, Davies wrote that Vulcan uses artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tooling and force feedback sensors to stow and retrieve items from tightly packed storage pods — areas that typically require workers to climb ladders or crouch to access.

The goal, he explained, is to reduce physical strain while increasing fulfillment efficiency.

Amazon ranks No. 1 in Digital Commerce 360’s Top 2000, a database of North America’s largest online retailers by annual web sales. The company is also No. 3 in Digital Commerce 360’s Global Online Marketplaces Database. That database ranks the 100 largest such marketplaces by third-party gross merchandise value (3P GMV).

How Amazon expects to use its Vulcan robots

“With the ability to pick and stow approximately 75% of all various types of items we store at our fulfillment centers, and at speeds comparable to that of our front-line employees, Vulcan represents a step change in how automation and AI can assist our employees in their everyday tasks,” Davies wrote.

So far, Vulcan is operational at fulfillment centers in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, where it has processed more than 500,000 orders, according to Amazon. In Spokane, the robot is tasked with accessing top- and bottom-shelf inventory and can manipulate 75% of stored product types. Amazon said it plans to deploy Vulcan more broadly over the next few years, with more rollouts planned across sites in Europe and the U.S.

The launch builds on Amazon’s robotics investment over the past decade. The company said it now operates more than 750,000 robotic systems across its global fulfillment network, with more to follow.

Amazon’s move to address ergonomic challenges

“Vulcan represents a fundamental leap forward in robotics,” said Aaron Parness, director of robotics AI at Amazon, in a statement. “It’s not just seeing the world, it’s feeling it, enabling capabilities that were impossible for Amazon robots until now.”

Amazon said Vulcan is built to take on physically taxing tasks that typically require workers to reach, bend or climb ladders. Those tasks can be further complicated when retrieving items from the top and bottom of 8-foot-tall storage pods. These movements, while common in warehouse environments, can slow down workflows and impact safety, according to Davies.

By delegating top- and bottom-shelf tasks to Vulcan, Amazon said it allows employees to remain in their ergonomic “power zone” — between mid-thigh and chest height — where movement is safer and more efficient.

To achieve this, the company developed new end-of-arm tooling, stereo vision systems, and algorithms that enable Vulcan to interpret and respond to physical contact, Davies wrote.

How the Vulcan robots work

Vulcan’s robotic arm includes a suction cup and camera to retrieve items from crowded storage pods without disturbing nearby inventory. Its precision comes from a hybrid gripping system that combines soft paddles with conveyor-like components to guide products into place, he explained.

“It also has the smarts to identify when it can’t move a specific item, and can ask a human partner to tag in, helping us leverage the best of what our technology and employees can achieve by working together,” Davies said.

Notably, the robot’s AI was trained using real-world interactions, not only simulations. It learned by handling thousands of physical items, from socks to fragile electronics, and refines its grasp through trial and error, Davies said. He said Vulcan can also adapt to how different objects respond to touch.

“Our vision is to scale this technology across our network, enhancing operational efficiency, improving workplace safety, and supporting our employees by reducing physically demanding tasks,” Parness said.

Expansion of Amazon’s automation strategy

In addition to Vulcan, Amazon recently showcased new automation tools designed for its delivery stations. These include:

• Tipper, which automates package unloading from carts
• Echelon and six-sided scanners, which replace manual barcode scanning
• ZancaSort, which brings packages and delivery bags to workers at ergonomic heights
• VASS (Vision Assisted Sort Station), which uses visual projections to guide sorting tasks

With more than 750,000 robotic systems currently in use, Amazon said its robots now assist with about 75% of customer orders.

Amazon said its robotics systems are designed to reduce repetitive motion, increase sorting accuracy, and improve safety. Many are being tested at the company’s innovation center in Dortmund, Germany, it said. However, there are plans to expand deployments to other markets.

The company also said its automation strategy is creating new, high-skilled roles in robotics support and maintenance. Through its Career Choice program, Amazon said it offers training to help employees transition into these roles.

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