Amazon introduces Vulcan tactile manipulation system for warehouse picking and stowing

Amazon introduced Vulcan on 7 May 2025 as its first warehouse robot equipped with touch sensing, with systems already handling picking and stowing tasks at fulfilment centres in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany. Force feedback lets its tooling move products within crowded fabric storage compartments and adjust grip strength when stowing, while a camera-guided suction arm retrieves selected items.

Amazon said Vulcan could handle approximately 75% of its product assortment at speeds comparable to human associates, referring unsupported items to employees. The system targets upper and lower storage rows, reducing the need for staff to climb steps or reach awkward shelf positions. Training included physical examples with force and touch feedback, allowing the system to learn how objects behave during contact.

At announcement, Amazon reported more than 750,000 robots deployed across its fulfilment network, including mobile transport systems and other item-handling machines. Vulcan adds manipulation inside occupied storage compartments to that automation footprint. Amazon plans to deploy further systems across Europe and the United States over the following years.