Amazon is moving to a new level of automation and soon there will be as many robots as humans. The e-commerce giant has been automating tasks that were done by humans in its centers for years. So far it has deployed more than 1 million robots. This is the largest number ever and it is very close to the number of employees working there. Amidst all this there is growing concern
In the company's warehouses, metallic robotic arms are now picking items from the shelves and wheeled robots are roaming the floor to deliver goods for packaging. Also, automated systems help sort items which are used by other robots to prepare packages for shipping.
Robot Vulcon can pick items from different shelve
Amazon's new robot, Vulcon, has the ability to pick items from different shelves. The company is now fulfilling orders with the help of robots. Machines are work in coordination with each other and with humans. Currently, about 75% of its global deliveries are completed with some form of robotic assistance.
Effect of growing automation
This growing automation is helping the company increase productivity and reduce the hard physical work of employees. Some workers have benefited from this change, as they are now engaged in skilled tasks such as managing machines instead of repetitive physical activities like heavy lifting, pulling, and sorting.
Company's hiring pace slowed
However, robots are also replacing some workers, which has slowed the company's hiring pace. Currently, Amazon employs about 15.6 lakh people, most of them in warehouses.