Amazon started its adventure in July 1994. 21 years later, we are facing a monster of $250 billion with more than 150,000 employees around the world and distribution centers in dozens of countries. Such an operation requires high levels of automation, especially when moving products within the same warehouse. This short video helps us visualize how Amazon's robots work without pause, trying to satisfy millions of daily orders.
The way of producing and commercializing products changed completely once robots entered the scene. The emergence of the Web and the explosion of online sales only increased adoption levels, something absolutely critical to respond to an e-commerce that never sleeps. It is not hard to visualize: while you read these lines, someone buys a product on Amazon, eBay, or another online platform. That activates a whole process that must be completed in the shortest possible time, combining human and robotic effort. In Amazon's specific case, automation plans for its "fulfillment centers" began in 2012, when it acquired the company Kiva Systems. Since then, Amazon has incorporated hundreds of robots into its infrastructure. Do you want to see how they work?
Towers of products move with chilling precision, changing position according to order contents, and reading QR codes placed strategically on the floor. Giant robotic arms lift packages almost with the grace of a ballerina, and as human workers (who may walk up to 16 kilometers daily on some shifts) sort products, conveyor belts move everything to the packing section. This is just a sample of the integration between Amazon and Kiva Systems (Amazon paid $775 million, the second-largest acquisition in its history at the time), which was recently transformed into Amazon Robotics.
The introduction of robots into the workplace inevitably leads to the debate about replacing humans with metal equivalents. Amazon's example clearly demonstrates that "traditional" staff is not only necessary but fundamental for correct processing of packages. After all, all we see here are movement systems and mechanical arms. An error can occur anywhere, so it is always good to have an extra pair of eyes.
For more information, visit Amazon Robotics.
