Amazon Unveils AI-Using Warehouse Robot With Human-Like Sense of Touch

Amazon's new Vulcan fulfillment center robot doesn't look humanoid but it has some very human characteristics, like the ability to "feel" the items it's handling. Amazon introduced Vulcan at its Delivering the Future event in Germany on May 7. "Built on key advances in robotics, engineering, and physical AI, Vulcan is our first robot with a sense of touch," the company said in a statement. The event is a showcase for Amazon's technology innovations. Vulcan can stow or pick items from the fabric-covered pods Amazon uses for inventory storage. It has a human–like finesse when handling objects. Force feedback sensors help the robot avoid damaging the merchandise. Enlarge Image Amazon's Vulcan robot uses force feedback sensors to "feel" the objects its picking up or stowing. Amazon A suction cup and camera system come into play when Vulcan is pulling items out of bins. "While the suction cup grabs it, the camera watches to make sure it took the right thing and only the right thing, a ... Read full article.