The latest news from YCD, Amazon recently launched a warehouse robot called “Sparrow”. It’s Amazon’s first robotic arm that can “detect, pick up and process a single item” on its own. Compared to other arms, the Sparrow works more delicately, identifying and picking up specific objects before placing them in boxes.
Unlike previous robotic arms deployed by the retail giant, including “Cardinal” and “Robin,” among others, Amazon claims Sparrow can identify about 65 percent of its product inventory without human help.
About 75 percent of the 5 billion packages Amazon processes each year are handled by robots during at least one delivery, Amazon said. Sparrow uses computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and process millions of items, streamlining the sorting process and saving labor.
In a blog post announcing the news, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Robot technology enables efficient and safe operations by enabling employees to work smarter. Sparrow will take on repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to have more Time and energy to focus on other things.”
Amazon is currently the second largest employer in the United States after Walmart. According to previous reports, if Amazon does not change its hiring practices, it will not be able to hire workers in the United States by 2024.
By adding more automation to warehouse centers, the retail giant can reduce its reliance on front-line workers to handle the picking, packing and shipping of goods in warehouses, the report said. Not only that, but this technology can also improve workplace safety for employees.
YCD understands that Amazon has long bet on robotics. In 2012, Amazon bought Kiva Robotics for $775 million to maximize supply chain productivity. In June, Amazon launched the fully autonomous robot “Proteus”, which has advanced safety, perception and navigation technology, can cooperate with people, and can move large shelves of products around the warehouse. In September, the retail giant also acquired Clostermans, a company that develops warehouse machinery and robots.