Amazon Robotics introduces Vulcan for tactile pick-and-stow work
Amazon Robotics introduced Vulcan, a tactile manipulation system for picking and stowing inventory in fulfillment-center fabric pods.
Evidence notes
- A Spokane pilot used six Vulcan Stow systems, with another 30 planned for beta deployment before expansion to Germany.
- Vulcan Pick combines suction, a depth camera and force sensing; Vulcan Stow uses a force-sensing gripper, conveyor belts and an extensible blade.
- Amazon says the system can handle about 75% of the item types in its fulfillment centers at speeds comparable with its employees.
Company context
Amazon Robotics develops mobile robots, manipulation systems and AI orchestration for Amazon fulfillment operations. Its fleet spans goods-to-person drive units, autonomous mobile robots, robotic arms and integrated inventory-handling systems.