Getting closer to completely replacing humans! Amazon launches logistics "humanoid robots"

With the acceleration of the automation process in warehousing and logistics, are we one step closer to the gradual replacement of human jobs by "humanoid robots"?

On October 18th, Amazon announced the launch of two new robots in its logistics warehouse in Houston to speed up logistics efficiency, which has raised concerns among the staff in the distribution centers who fear that this is a precursor to job cuts by Amazon.

First, Amazon introduced a robot called "Sequoia", which can accelerate delivery speed and ensure worker safety.

Amazon plans to further expand the use of Sequoia in the future to further streamline operations.

Sequoia integrates multiple robot systems, including mobile robots, gantry systems, robotic arms, and ergonomically designed new employee workstations.

Sequoia can pull turnover boxes from the shelves and then deliver them to robotic arms equipped with computer vision and machine learning capabilities, and finally assign them to employees for delivery.

Amazon stated that Sequoia can reduce accident rates by placing items at waist height for employees, eliminating the need for employees to reach high shelves.

Amazon claims that Sequoia can increase the speed of identification and inventory storage by 75% and reduce the time for warehouse order processing by 25%.

Amazon's internal data shows that by 2022, the recordable accident rate and lost work hours accident rate at Amazon robot sites are 15% and 18% lower than non-robot sites, respectively. The use and promotion of Sequoia will help Amazon continue this positive trend.

In addition to Sequoia, Amazon also plans to test a humanoid robot called "Digit" in its warehouses. This humanoid robot can squat, bend, and grab items. In the first phase, this robot will be used to transport empty turnover boxes.

Amazon states that Digit's size and shape are compatible with existing warehouse buildings, allowing it to move, grab, and handle items flexibly in various spaces and corners of the warehouse. We believe that in the future, we can further expand into mobile robotic solutions, such as Digit, which can collaborate with employees.

Amazon explains that Digit will "assist employees in retrieving luggage, which is a highly repetitive process." Once all the items are removed, Digit will pick up and move the empty suitcase.

Digit humanoid robot is a product developed by Agility Robotics, a startup invested by Amazon. Amazon expects Agility Robotics to expand production of this humanoid robot later this year.

Amazon states that currently there are over 750,000 robots collaborating with employees, undertaking highly repetitive tasks, allowing employees to have more time to provide better service to customers.

With significant improvements in speed and efficiency, Amazon claims that the automation process will not slow down. Its continued investment in robot technology will ensure that customers receive their packages in a shorter time, through the joint efforts of humans and "robot workers."

Is a wave of massive layoffs beginning?

The continuous upgrading of robots has also intensified concerns about layoffs.

According to a survey conducted by the American Society for Human Resource Management in August, nearly half of Americans believe that AI can easily replace their jobs.

In the past six months, the popularity of ChatGPT has allowed AI to penetrate into various aspects of human life. Powerful AI provides the possibility of automating more work tasks. This result is in stark contrast to a similar survey conducted in 2017. At that time, nearly three-quarters of Americans believed that their jobs would not be easily replaced by robots or artificial intelligence.

A study previously published by the OECD showed that more than a quarter of white-collar jobs will be affected. The world economy is still in the early stages of adopting artificial intelligence, and there is still a high possibility of reducing future job opportunities.

Goldman Sachs' speculation is even more pessimistic. They believe that generative AI may put about 300 million full-time jobs worldwide at risk of being completely replaced, and up to two-thirds of professions may face the risk of partial automation by artificial intelligence.