Amazon is expanding its warehouse robotics to boost safety and efficiency, aiming to flatten its hiring growth curve over the next decade. Morgan Stanley estimates that automation could save Amazon $10 billion annually by 2030. The recent introduction of the Vulcan robot, with tactile sensing capabilities, is part of this strategy, although the broader goal is to reduce future workforce growth rather than replace current employees.
An internal document reveals Amazon's plan to slow down workforce expansion through automation. This transition addresses rising warehousing costs and potential labor shortages. Despite automation advancements, Amazon's workforce surged from 800,000 to 1.6 million between 2019 and 2021, slightly dropping to 1.55 million in 2022.
The Vulcan robot, capable of adjusting grip based on item characteristics, is part of Amazon's innovative efforts. The company is also developing AI models like "Tetris" to optimize labor and transport costs. These advancements aim to enhance operational efficiency and improve the work environment.
Amazon's automation goals include transforming existing roles into equipment maintenance positions, addressing labor shortages, and managing business expansion. Additional systems like the sorting robots Robin/Sparrow and logistics robot Proteus support these objectives.
