Amazon New warehouse robot Proteus is a complete autonomous

AmazonThe new Proteus warehouse robot is completely autonomous.

Staff members can provide guidance in a simple language of dialogue.

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The Amazon has placed more than one million robots in its warehouse, but so far no robot has been able to “talk” to human employees. However, the Amazon announced that the new version of Proteus robots could now be commanded by staff in simple language as a result of artificial intelligence upgrades. "You tell it what needs to be done. It calculates priority, route and time, "Scott Dresser, Vice President of the Amazon Robot."

Proteus, which looks like Roomba, is designed to move heavy carts and move at long distances within distribution centres. Previously, commanding such robots required the use of customized software. Now, employees can assign tasks to the latest artificially intelligent model in a simple language, just like other employees.

The additional intelligence also allows the system to work around the warehouse, rather than only in the wharf area as previously. This means that they can be used to transport containers arriving at the scene, move between workstations and assist staff.

Amazon is piloting the new system in its laboratory, but it is planned to start using it in Europe in the first half of 2027. The company also plans to expand Vulcan's use of sensitive robots and to introduce another robot called Stark for the precise handling of “black case” (smaller containers).

The Amazon indicated that the new Proteus robot would help staff “to focus on higher-skilled jobs, such as managing inventory processes and ensuring quality control”. It added that such systems could enhance security and reduce duplication of effort. At the same time, Amazon indicated that it did not replace human jobs and announced plans to increase the number of its European warehouse employees by 25,000 in the coming years. The company wrote: “Since the introduction of robotics into its operations, the Amazon has employed hundreds of thousands of employees globally.”

However, in the past year or so, the Amazon has also laid off nearly 30,000 employees in retail, web-based services, Prime Video and other sectors. The company also has no outstanding record in the area of security. Last year the Centre for Strategic Organizations reported that in 2024, the company employed 39 per cent of United States warehouse workers, but caused 56 per cent of serious injuries.