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The Robot Report
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Amazon’s Vulcan robot uses force sensing to stow items
- Amazon has introduced a new robot named Vulcan that utilizes force and touch sensing for material handling tasks, specifically designed to automate the replenishment of shelves in warehouses.
- Vulcan is equipped with force feedback sensors and AI, allowing it to pick and stow around 75% of items in Amazon warehouses with precision and speed comparable to human workers.
- The robot's advancements are expected to enhance operational efficiency, workplace safety, and reduce physically demanding tasks for human employees by applying the right amount of force for managing various products.
- Aaron Parness, Director of Applied Science at Amazon Robotics, highlighted the significance of touch and force sensing in robotics, addressing the crucial role they play in manipulation and physical intelligence.
- The ability to sense force enables Vulcan to handle tasks such as putting items into mailers, handling groceries, and packaging deliveries more efficiently, allowing for faster responses and improved item handling.
- Vulcan is part of Amazon's efforts to enhance robotic manipulation capabilities, with other robots like Sparrow and Cardinal also being deployed for different picking applications, paving the way for future developments in touch sensing technology.
- The focus on automating the stowing of items in upper bin rows with Vulcan aims to reduce worker injuries in Amazon's warehouses, especially targeting hard-to-access areas and improving overall safety.
- Amazon's injury rates have been historically higher compared to other warehouses, but efforts like the Vulcan robot implementation are aimed at improving workplace safety and efficiency.
- Vulcan is currently operational in Amazon's warehouses in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, showcasing the company's commitment to leveraging advanced robotics in improving its warehouse operations.
- This development represents one of the initial applications of advanced force and touch sensing in Amazon's robotics arsenal, with plans to expand these capabilities to other warehouse operations in the future.
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