Amazon unveils AI-driven Proteus robot to streamline warehouse logistics
As the tech giant plans a 25,000-strong European hiring spree, the Proteus upgrade coincides with recent global layoffs and ongoing scrutiny over workplace safety standards.
Amazon has announced a significant artificial intelligence upgrade to its Proteus warehouse robot, enabling the unit to operate with full autonomy and accept instructions via plain language. Previously, directing the robot required custom software, but the updated system allows human employees to assign tasks conversationally, similar to delegating work to a colleague. Amazon Robotics VP Scott Dresser noted that the AI now independently determines task priority, routing, and timing, removing the need for manual programming inputs.
Resembling a heavy-duty Roomba, the Proteus is designed to transport heavy carts and containers across fulfillment centres, including dock areas and workstations. The enhanced intelligence allows the robot to operate throughout the entire warehouse rather than being restricted to dock zones. This expansion in capability enables the system to manage containers arriving on-site, transfer them between workstations, and assist staff with logistical movements over long distances.
The company states that the automation aims to reduce repetitive labour and improve safety, allowing employees to focus on higher-skilled responsibilities such as inventory management and quality control. Amazon is currently piloting the technology in its labs, with plans to deploy the AI-upgraded Proteus in Europe during the first half of 2027. The retailer also intends to expand its use of the Vulcan touch-sensitive robot and introduce a new unit called Stark for handling smaller containers with precision.
Despite the push for automation, Amazon claims it has not replaced human jobs and announced plans to expand its European warehouse workforce by 25,000 in the coming years. The company highlighted that it has hired hundreds of thousands of employees globally since introducing robotics into its operations. This announcement comes against a backdrop of recent layoffs of nearly 30,000 workers across its retail, web services, and Prime Video units over the past year.
The deployment of advanced robotics occurs amid ongoing scrutiny regarding workplace conditions. Data from the Strategic Organizing Center indicated that in 2024, Amazon employed 39 percent of US warehouse workers but accounted for 56 percent of serious injuries. The company has faced criticism regarding its safety track record, even as it positions the new Proteus system as a tool to mitigate repetitive strain and enhance operational efficiency.
