Amazon Unveils Vulcan, Its First Robot With a Sense of Touch

Amazon introduced Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch, at its Delivering the Future event in Dortmund in Germany. The robot is being deployed in fulfilment centres to improve worker safety, operational efficiency, and the speed at which customer orders are processed. 

Vulcan, already in use at sites in Washington, USA, and Hamburg, Germany, can handle roughly 75% of item types stored at Amazon facilities. Developed through advancements in robotics, engineering, and physical AI, Vulcan helps employees by picking and stowing products, especially in hard-to-reach areas. 

This development comes after Amazon announced earlier in February that it formed a brand-new frontier AI and robotics (FAR) team based in San Francisco and Seattle. 

“Vulcan works alongside our employees, and the combination is better than either on their own,” Aaron Parness, director of applied science at Amazon Robotics, said. “It’s not just seeing the world, it’s feeling it, enabling capabilities that were impossible for Amazon robots until now.”

Unlike previous robots that lacked sensory feedback, Vulcan uses force feedback sensors and a specialised arm tool to identify contact and adjust grip strength. This enables it to handle products more delicately and efficiently within confined storage bins. It also reduces the need for employees to use step ladders or work in less ergonomic positions.

Kari Freitas Hardy, a front-line worker at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Spokane, noted the benefits of working alongside Vulcan. “It’s great to see how many of my co-workers have gained new job skills and taken on more technical roles, like I did,” she said.

Vulcan is part of a broader automation strategy that has already seen over 7.5 lakh robots deployed across Amazon’s network. “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 added.

Previously in 2022, Amazon laid off its Robotics team and began experimenting with humanoid robots in select US warehouses, marking a significant step in its automation endeavours. ‘Digit’ robot, created by Agility Robotics, a company supported by Amazon, emulated human movements for tasks such as moving and handling items.