Amazon has entered a new phase where robots are starting to replace warehouse workers. The company has unveiled a new robot called "Vulcan," designed to reduce the physical strain on human workers and create new job opportunities. CEO Andy Jassy stated that the robot is improving workplace safety by handling ergonomically challenging tasks while offering training to warehouse workers to develop skills in robotics maintenance.
According to Amazon's statement, the Vulcan robot will pick products from the highest and lowest shelves in the warehouse, reducing the need for humans to climb ladders or bend down all day. Human workers will only gather products from the middle shelves or those that the robot still cannot manage. This approach will open up new career paths for Amazon's warehouse workers, as the company trains some employees to specialize in robotics maintenance.
It is noted that robots already complete 75% of customer orders, leading to the creation of new job categories within the company, such as robotic engineers and technical support staff. Amazon also offers retraining programs for employees to gain expertise in robotics.
However, it remains uncertain whether this shift will lead to a completely robot-free future. Some experts believe that robots will only be used by the largest companies, while humans will continue to make up the primary workforce in other sectors. Thus, automation may remain a tool for major corporations, while small and medium-sized businesses will still rely on human workers.
Amazon's move towards automation sparks broader discussions about how technology and the job market will evolve. In the future, new job roles may emerge, such as "automation monitors" overseeing robots or fast-food restaurant workers managing robot chefs.
