Amazon Now Has Over One Million AI Robots Powering Global Warehouses
The milestone update was followed up by the introduction of a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) foundation model called DeepFleet, designed to make the robots smarter and more efficient. Similar to an 'intelligent traffic management system for a city filled with cars moving through congested streets,' it coordinates their movements to optimise their navigation around Amazon's fulfilment centres, large warehouses where customer orders are received, stored, packed, and shipped, leading to less congestion and faster processing of orders.
The new technology is built using the company's data sets of inventory movement within its sites and leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) developer tools, including SageMaker, with the AI trained to learn and improve over time. DeepFleet is also expected to reduce robot travel time by 10 percent, allowing for quicker delivery times, lower operational costs, and reduced energy usage.
Amazon's robotics journey started in 2012 with a single type of robot that could move inventory shelves across warehouse floors. The fleet has now grown to include the Hercules robots, capable of lifting and moving up to 1,250 pounds (566kg) of inventory; their Pegasus counterparts, which use precision conveyor belts to handle individual packages; and Proteus, the brand's first fully autonomous mobile robot designed to safely navigate around employees in open and unrestricted site areas while moving heavy carts filled with customer orders.
As for fulfilment centres, there are currently more than 300 of them across the globe. Of the list, only a handful offer free in-person tours to the public: the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, and Italy, with Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and Belgium joining the programme. India and Japan will be the first in the Asia-Pacific region to host them – the former in Q4 of 2025, and the latter, at an unspecified date in the same year.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geek Culture
2 hours ago
- Geek Culture
ASUS Vivobook S14
For the modern professional in today's ever-changing working landscape, finding the perfect working companion means more than just the latest and most powerful hardware – there needs to be a level of portability mixed with power and performance, offering lightweight machines that don't skimp on their hardware for the best of both worlds. The Asus Vivobook S14 is the line-up's latest model built for unhindered productivity, offering a slim profile of just 31.52 x 22.34 x 1.59cm at its thinnest point, and weighing just 1.4 kg/. This allows the unit to sit comfortably in most backpacks and tote bags without taking up too much space. Under that slim chassis, the entry-level model is outfitted with a 16-core Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255H with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz, which is further supplemented by an Intel AI Boost NPU capable of up to 13 trillion operations per second (TOPS), an integrated Intel GPU, and 16GB of RAM, with the option to increase this further to 32GB. In practice, the mobile processor serves well to handle basic day-to-day tasks with ease, never causing any noticeable slowdown even after use with multiple browser tabs and windows open, alongside software being downloaded and installed in the background. With a mobile processor and integrated graphics, the device clearly isn't built with gaming in mind. However, it did prove capable when running less graphically intense titles like Hades II, or even modern remasters of older 3D games like the recently released RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army and Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, running all three games at a smooth 60fps at 1,920 x 1,200 resolution and high graphics settings. The device is clad in a pleasing metallic matte grey finish, with a minimalist aesthetic comprising a single CNC-engraved logo on the right side of its lid. This same level of minimalism extends to the laptop's keyboard as well, although not to the same pleasing effect, with drab all-black keycaps that stand out rather unsightly against its otherwise clean grey finish. Still, an upside to this simplicity lies in its functionality, with its lengthy 1.7mm Key-travel and sufficient key spacing to provide an intuitive and comfortable typing experience that doesn't take much time to get used to. Its enlarged 2.5 cm touchpad is also a plus, which not only provides more space for precise scrolling, but also registers clicks accurately, with only a small area on its bottom right-hand side reserved for the right-click function, minimising instances of misclicks. Swiping across the trackpad was smooth without issue, with its smart gesture features like brightness and volume controls never getting in the way of general use. As a portable device, heat management is especially important not only to ensure device longevity, but also comfort, as it's not ideal to work with a hot laptop on your lap while on the go. To this end, the Vivobook S14 features a surprisingly lean suite of cooling vents, with just one intake vent stretched across the rear end of the device's base, and a single output vent on the right-hand side of the laptop's rear. But this has not impacted performance, as despite its apparent lack of cooling vents, the device remained relatively cool, even at its base, even after an hour of prolonged use, making it ideal for use even in places without an available surface to work on. In terms of connectivity options, the device offers a serviceable spread, comprising two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports with built-in power delivery support, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, one mini HDMI 1.4 port and a 3.5mm audio jack on its left, and a single USB Type-A port on its right. These offerings are more than sufficient for the everyday user, removing the need to lug around additional external dongles, although it has to be noted that the laptop only supports the older HDMI 1.4 standard instead of HDMI 2.1 like most modern devices. For its display, the Vivobook S14 comes equipped with a 14-inch 60Hz panel with a 16:10, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution IPS display, which is suitable enough for the average user, but definitely isn't as vibrant or colour-accurate when compared to an OLED display. The laptop's speakers similarly leave much to be desired, with audio that sounds extremely muffled even when set to max volume, making headphones the better option in most cases. One benefit from having a comparatively low-powered processor stems from an improved battery life, with the Vivobook S14 performing respectively after an hour of intense benchmarking using 3DMark's Wild Life Extreme mobile processor stress test, dropping around 40 per cent. During general use, on the other hand, its 70WHr battery dipped around 10 per cent after an hour of general use consisting of typing documents, clearing emails and watching YouTube videos, which means the device should last around eight to 10 hours on a full charge, which is suitable for a full work day without the need for a power adapter. With AI being such an integral part of modern technology these days, it's no surprise that the Vivobook S14 comes packed with a whole suite of AI tools powered by its NPU. These include Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant that can be activated to provide basic tech and query support or be used to remember certain information to set deadlines, with the device also featuring a dedicated Copilot button on its keyboard for quick access. Apart from this, the device also comes with built-in AI technologies, including an AI noise-cancelling microphone and speaker to enhance everyday work processes like team meetings. These tools, as always when it comes to AI, are good to have, but certainly not required for most usage scenarios. At S$1,599, the Asus Vivobook S14 makes up for its relatively under-powered hardware with a slim profile, stable performance, respectable battery life and most importantly, a comfortable and intuitive typing experience well suited for out-of-office use, making it a strong contender for those looking for a lightweight device to supplement their remote working lifestyle. GEEK REVIEW SCORE Summary The Asus Vivobook S14 strikes a balance between performance and portability, making it an all-rounded companion well-suited for remote working. Overall 7.8/10 7.8/10 Aesthetics - 8/10 8/10 Build Quality - 8/10 8/10 Performance - 8/10 8/10 Value - 7.5/10 7.5/10 Geek Satisfaction - 7.5/10 7.5/10
Geek Culture
2 days ago
- Geek Culture
Amazon's Asia Focus Sees New Japan Fulfilment Centre, Debut Of Facility Tours In India
Between an increasingly interconnected world and the convenience of online shopping, the demand for digital purchases will only continue to grow, and Asia is no exception. As part of its continued expansion efforts worldwide, Amazon is rolling out new initiatives in the region, starting with a new fulfilment centre in Japan. Mitsubishi Estate's LOGICROSS Nagoya Minato facility is set to be the largest fulfilment centre in western Japan, spanning 125,000 square metres with a storage capacity of about 1.37 million cubic feet. A joint effort between Amazon and Mitsubishi Estate, it aims to be the first building in the country to receive Zero Carbon Certification from Living Future – the first Zero Carbon third-party certified standard worldwide – with several sustainable building technologies. These include the use of a geothermal heat pump that maintains comfortable heating and cooling temperatures while running on 30 percent less energy than conventional systems; vertical solar panels, which can produce a maximum power output of 5.5 megawatts (and making it one of Amazon's largest onsite solar arrays outside of the U.S); and lower-carbon concrete for the foundation and office areas during construction. A rainwater storage system also utilises collected rainwater for restrooms and other facilities, with water usage expected to drop by approximately 40 percent. The space is due to open in August, joining over 25 other fulfilment centres across the country. Announced separately during the Delivering the Future event in Tokyo, an in-person tour for its Chiba Minato Fulfilment Centre is coming later this year, though a specific window was not given. Like existing Amazon Tours programmes in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, and Italy, participation is free, with the experience focusing on the behind-the-scenes processes of handling and packing before delivery. 'We've been in Japan for 25 years, so we have a long history in this country,' shares Nick Boone-Lutz, head of Amazon Tours, in a Q&A with Geek Culture and select Australian media. '[The Chiba Minato Fulfilment Centre] is an incredible place to show off – in terms of the investments and the business it has made in technology – and we have a lot of passionate customers here who are excited; we've been getting requests from customers in Japan who asked for tours for a long time.' Closer to home, the delivery powerhouse will bring the tour to public fulfilment centres in Delhi and Bengaluru starting Q4 of 2025. Lasting 45 minutes to an hour, each session will begin with a video about Amazon's history and evolution in the country, followed by a guided walk through the facility, where various technologies are seen in action. Safety measures like heat monitoring, medical facilities, air-conditioned breakrooms and development opportunities for employees and associates are also covered. 'We've built India's fastest, safest, and most reliable operations network, and now we're excited to give people a chance to see it firsthand,' said Abhinav Singh, Vice-President of Operations India and Australia. 'These tours offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and people working together to deliver for customers every day.' To date, the Amazon Tours programme has registered two million visitors from more than 35 locations in select countries. The India launch marks Asia's first and will run three times weekly at both the Delhi and Bengaluru fulfilment centres once open, accommodating up to 20 participants per session. Online registration for interested parties is due later this year. There are currently over 300 fulfilment centres globally, designed to store millions of products, process customer orders, and ship them daily. Bengaluru houses the biggest facility in India, spanning over two million cubic feet of storage space – roughly the capacity of 800 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really. Amazon Amazon Fulfilment Centre Amazon Tour Asia
Geek Culture
3 days ago
- Geek Culture
Amazon Now Has Over One Million AI Robots Powering Global Warehouses
Amid the competitive e-commerce space, Amazon has carved out a reputation for being the king of (fast) deliveries, and robots will continue to be a big part of it. During the Delivering the Future event held in Tokyo, the industry giant announced the deployment of its one millionth robot to a fulfilment centre in Japan. The milestone update was followed up by the introduction of a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) foundation model called DeepFleet, designed to make the robots smarter and more efficient. Similar to an 'intelligent traffic management system for a city filled with cars moving through congested streets,' it coordinates their movements to optimise their navigation around Amazon's fulfilment centres, large warehouses where customer orders are received, stored, packed, and shipped, leading to less congestion and faster processing of orders. The new technology is built using the company's data sets of inventory movement within its sites and leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) developer tools, including SageMaker, with the AI trained to learn and improve over time. DeepFleet is also expected to reduce robot travel time by 10 percent, allowing for quicker delivery times, lower operational costs, and reduced energy usage. Amazon's robotics journey started in 2012 with a single type of robot that could move inventory shelves across warehouse floors. The fleet has now grown to include the Hercules robots, capable of lifting and moving up to 1,250 pounds (566kg) of inventory; their Pegasus counterparts, which use precision conveyor belts to handle individual packages; and Proteus, the brand's first fully autonomous mobile robot designed to safely navigate around employees in open and unrestricted site areas while moving heavy carts filled with customer orders. As for fulfilment centres, there are currently more than 300 of them across the globe. Of the list, only a handful offer free in-person tours to the public: the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, and Italy, with Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and Belgium joining the programme. India and Japan will be the first in the Asia-Pacific region to host them – the former in Q4 of 2025, and the latter, at an unspecified date in the same year. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
