Amazon debuts seven supply chain robots in last-mile facility
Amazon is rolling out a number of new robots that will help take on heavy lifting and repetitive tasks at a delivery station in Germany.
The online giant’s last mile innovation center in Dortmund, Germany serves as a delivery station where packages are loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers. At the facility, Amazon is currently utilizing seven new robotic supply chain solutions:
Tipper
This automated solution eliminates the need for manual package unloading. Instead of physically removing packages from carts, employees bring carts to this system, which then automatically transfers packages onto the conveyor belt and reduces physical strain while maintaining efficient package flow.
Echelon and six-sided scanner
After packages are transferred to the conveyor belt, the Echelon system manages package flow while a complementary six-sided scanner automatically captures package information from every angle. Together, these solutions eliminate the need for manual scanning and handling, creating a more streamlined process.
Agility and Matrix
Deeper io the facility, the Agility and Matrix systems determine optimal paths for package sorting, minimizing the need for employees to push, reach for, or manually handle packages, creating a more efficient and ergonomic work environment.
Zancasort
ZancaSort brings packages and their designated bags directly to employees at an ergonomic height, eliminating the need for workers to walk through numerous aisles or reach to stack parcels. They place packages into their designated bags, making the process more efficient and comfortable.
Vision Assisted Sort Station (VASS)
VASS uses computer vision and projection technology to visually highlight packages and their correct sorting locations, making it easier for employees to match thousands of packages to the right delivery route totes.
“We want to create more high-skilled work that is ergonomically sound for everyone at our facilities,” said Nicola Fyfe, VP of Amazon logistics in Europe in a corporate blog post. “Technology is helping us achieve this vision by creating better, safer work environments inside our delivery stations.”
Amazon says it is now ready to implement these innovations at scale, starting in Europe and eventually rolling out globally.
Amazon focuses on next-gen fulfillment center robotics
Amazon has been actively developing new, leading-edge robotic solutions for use in its fulfillment centers and has over 750,000 robots working collaboratively with its employees, taking on highly repetitive tasks.
[READ MORE: Amazon deploys robot for heavy lifting in fulfillment center]
The online giant has also just deployed its first robot equipped with a sense of touch, meaning it knows when it makes contact and how much force it’s applying, and can stop short of doing any damage. Built on advances in robotics, engineering and physical AI, the robot, called "Vulcan," is currently deployed at Amazon's distribution centers in Spokane, Wash., and Hamburg, Germany.
