Vulcan Robotics

Vulcan is Amazon's first robot with a sense of touch, designed to pick items from bulk storage and place them onto movable shelves in fulfillment centers.

Vulcan uses force feedback sensors and AI on its end-of-arm tools to measure force and torque along all six axes, enabling it to gauge and adjust the force it exerts on objects.

Vulcan is in full operation at Amazon's warehouses in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, with plans to expand to more sites in Europe and the U.S.

Vulcan can pick and stow approximately 75% of the items in Amazon warehouses, moving them at speeds comparable to human workers.

Vulcan picks items from the highest and lowest points of storage pods, reducing the need for workers to use step ladders and perform physically demanding tasks.

Physical AI enables Vulcan to use both sight and touch to understand and move through the world, allowing it to manipulate objects with greater precision and dexterity.

Vulcan's end-of-arm tools include grippers or suction devices equipped with 3D force sensors and innovative control algorithms to pick and stow items from fabric storage pods.

Amazon plans to deploy Vulcan systems over the next couple of years at sites throughout Europe and the United States, following beta testing phases.

Vulcan is unique because it is the first Amazon robot with a sense of touch, enabling it to feel objects and adjust force, unlike previous robots that only relied on sight.

Vulcan improves operational efficiency by getting the right product to the right truck faster, supporting wider selection and industry-leading prices while reducing physically demanding tasks for employees.