Amazon unveils warehouse robot with sense of touch, raising more concerns about job losses

What just happened? Amazon has unveiled a revolutionary new robot that has a sense of touch, which will allow it to handle around three quarters of all items in the company's warehouses at a speed comparable to humans. It's a worrying claim for the hundreds of thousands of people in Amazon's facilities, but the company is once again claiming the new robot will work alongside humans, not replace them. The Vulcan robot represents a "fundamental leap forward in robotics," according to Amazon. It uses a sensor, powered by AI, to essentially feel items it picks up, determining the exact amount of pressure and torque required to safely handle each object. Vulcan's robotic sense of touch means it is able to pick and stow approximately 75% of the 1 million items at the Amazon fulfillment center in Spokane, Washington, where it has been deployed. The robot arms Amazon currently use in its facilities rely on cameras and suction to manipulate objects, meaning they struggle with many items, espe ... Read full article.