Amazon has unveiled an upgraded version of its autonomous warehouse robot, Proteus, that can now respond to voice commands. The robot, originally introduced in 2022, uses natural language processing to interpret instructions spoken by human workers, allowing for more intuitive collaboration.
The company emphasizes that the goal is to enhance worker productivity and safety, not to replace employees. "Our robots are designed to work alongside people, taking on repetitive tasks so workers can focus on higher-value activities," said an Amazon spokesperson.
Proteus can navigate warehouse floors autonomously, avoiding obstacles and human workers. With voice interaction, workers can ask the robot to move specific items or change routes without needing to input code. The robot's software has been updated to understand a range of commands related to warehouse operations.
This development is part of Amazon's broader investment in automation, which includes other robots like the robotic arm Sparrow and the humanoid Digit. The company has faced criticism over labor practices and fears that robots could displace human workers. However, Amazon insists these technologies are meant to augment, not replace, its workforce.
Proteus is expected to roll out in Amazon fulfillment centers later this year.