As Amazon completes 10 years of its acquisition of the robotics company Kiva, it has been working on technology to make its warehouses and workplaces more streamlined and safer than ever.

Currently, the internet giant has over 5,20,000 robotic units spread across its properties. Here’s a look at what they do and what they’re capable of.

Proteus

It’s a fully autonomous mobile unit capable of moving through Amazon facilities using technology developed internally by Amazon. Because it was designed to be used around Amazon workers, the robot can be used outside closed spaces. According to a blog post from Amazon, the robot would be deployed in the “outbound GoCarts handling areas” at fulfilment, and sorting centres. The vision is to automate the GoCart network in a bid to reduce “the need for people to manually move heavy objects through our facility” and let them focus on “more rewarding work” the blog post continued. 

Cardinal

Capable of using artificial intelligence to identify packages from a pile and then move it to a GoCart to help it on to the next step of its journey, the Cardinal robot reduces the risk of employees injuring themselves accidentally, according to Amazon. The robot is faster at sorting packages, which in turn ensure faster package processing before the package makes its way to the intended delivery address. 

Also Read: Elon Musk delays Tesla AI Day 2, teases working prototype of Optimus robot

While it can only handle packages that weight roughly 22 kilograms, Amazon expects these robots to be placed in their fulfilment centres by 2023. 

Currently, in testing for handling packages of up to 50 pounds, the Cardinal is expected to be implemented in fulfilment centres next year.

Also Read: US records nearly 400 crashes of automated tech vehicles, including 273 Teslas

Amazon Robotics Identification

AR-ID is a scanning system developed by Amazon that uses machine learning and computer vision to ensure better and convenient package handling at its facilities. Their tracking system already allows customers to know where their package is, every step of the way. With the AR-ID employees just have to place a package in front of the scanner before moving it to the next station. The software captures the product’s unique barcode and scans it, eliminating the need for humn intervention.

The AR-ID runs at 120 frames per second and automatically captures the product’s unique code and scans it, eliminating the need for employees to manually find the bar code and scan it with one hand while holding the package with the other.