Amazon unveils AI-powered warehouse robots in UK expansion push

DARTFORD: Amazon on Thursday presented an upgraded artificial intelligence-powered mobile robot for its warehouses in Britain, part of a 10 billion euro investment in its European fulfilment network aimed at accelerating deliveries.

The Seattle-based e-commerce group displayed the next-generation Proteus robot at its Delivering the Future event at its fulfilment centre in Dartford, east of London. Amazon said the new system can respond to conversational prompts and represents a change in how workers interact with robots inside its warehouses.

Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics, described how the machine is designed to work. "You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing,"

The current Proteus robot is already operating at 25 sites in the United States, where it works only in dock areas and moves carts weighing up to nearly 400 kilogrammes, or 882 pounds. The updated version is scheduled to arrive in Europe in the first half of 2027 and will be able to move across warehouse floors.

More robotics and delivery sites planned

Amazon also introduced STARK, a robotic tote-handling system that was first tested in Barcelona. The company said the technology is due to be deployed at 15 European locations by 2027.

Another machine shown at the event was Vulcan, which Amazon described as its first robot with a sense of touch. The company did not announce further technical details but included it among the technologies being highlighted as it expands automation in its operations.

As part of its broader logistics plans, Amazon said it will open more than 25 sub-same-day delivery sites across Europe this year, including locations in Britain and Germany. Amazon Now, its ultra-fast essentials delivery service, will be extended to Manchester and Birmingham in Britain.

The company added that same-day delivery for fresh groceries is already available in more than 2,300 cities in the United States and in parts of Tokyo. Further expansion of that service is planned in Japan, Britain and other countries in the coming months.