Amazon revealed its new robotic arm called Sparrow. It can potentially help warehouse employees with their repetitive tasks in the future.

The new robotic arm, which can pick up millions of things of different shapes and sizes, was unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 10, during the Delivering the Future conference.

New Warehouse Robot

As per CNBC's recent report, Amazon claims that Sparrow uses artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision to relocate millions of items just before packaging. 

The video presented during the talk shows the robot efficiently packing containers with various goods, including a board game, a bottle of vitamins, and a pair of sheets.

The new arm is an upgraded version of the company's previous robotic arms, with the added capability of picking and placing individual goods in designated bins. 

TechCrunch reported that Sparrow might be programmed to grab a wide variety of goods, not only the 15 or so distinct sorts of packages. Roboticists have a lot of obstacles when trying to construct a system that can select at these rates due to the wide range of sizes, shapes, and materials involved.

"At the same time, Sparrow will help us drive efficiency by automating a critical part of our fulfillment process so we can continue to deliver for customers," Amazon stated in its most recently published blog post.

Read Also: Amazon Discontinues Operation of its Home-Delivery Scout Robot

Threat or Not?

According to the tech company, Sparrow would take up repetitious duties, allowing workers more time to concentrate on other activities.

"Beyond the technological advancements of Sparrow, what we're truly excited about are the implications the technology has and the ways it will benefit our employees and customers," stated Amazon's press release.

This bot model was introduced despite widespread concerns that the entry of robots into the warehouse will lead to the elimination of human employment, according to CNBC.

Amazon countered that idea by pointing out how emerging innovations may affect their staff positively.

Based on its blog, introducing cutting-edge machinery and software has created over 700 new job classifications throughout the organization. Tens of thousands of Amazon workers are now working in new job categories made possible by technological advancements and robotic labor.

Approach to Robotics

Since purchasing Kiva Systems a decade ago for $775 million, Amazon has gradually increased the number of warehouse robots it employs. Kiva eventually evolved into Amazon Robotics, which is now the backbone for developing new robotic fulfillment technologies for the company.

In June, Amazon introduced a completely autonomous robot that can work alongside human warehouse employees, joining other systems that can sort and carry items.

In addition to that, it purchased Cloostermans, which specializes in the development of robots and technology for warehouses.

From a totally different point of view, a study claimed that the warehouses owned by corporations with robots had a greater injury rate than facilities that do not contain robots. 

Even though it has been questioned, Amazon argues that its technology can make workplaces safer.

See Also: Amazon Acquires iRobot for $1.7 Billion to Integrate Roomba Vacuum Into the Company

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Trisha Kae Andrada