Amazon is testing out a new prototype humanoid robot in its warehouses in the US, according to the BBC. This new humanoid robot is called Digit, and thanks to its two arms and legs, it can pick up and move large trays to help ease the workload for human employees, especially when it comes to repetitive tasks.
Unlike robots with wheels, Digit robots can make use of their legs to climb up and come down the stairs. However, Amazon says it is currently testing these robots out to see how well they work with the company's employees so there's no telling when or if they will be approved.
Amazon's goal of automating as many warehouse operations as possible has not gone down well with workers, who are expectedly concerned it could take away human jobs. Amazon, however, says that the 750,000+ robots that have already been deployed in its warehouses have helped the company open up 700 new categories of job types that were not previously available.
Amazon has also denied the possibility that its warehouses could one day be fully automated and require zero human staff. Amazon Robotics' chief technologist, Tye Brady, says that “there's not any part of me that thinks that would ever be a reality. People are so central to the fulfilment process; the ability to think at a higher level, the ability to diagnose problems.” Human staff will also be needed to help repair any robots that might break down, which is something Amazon says happens often.
Image credit: Amazon
