Vulcan is Amazon's first touch-sensitive robot designed to pick and store items from fabric storage pods in fulfillment centers (FCs), improving worker safety and operational efficiency
Unlike traditional robots, Vulcan uses sensors to monitor torque and force along six axes, enabling it to handle objects delicately and avoid excessive force
This robot stores new items in fabric pods using advanced vision systems, segmentation, and an end-of-arm tool (EOAT) with a gripper and extendable blade
This robot selects specific items from fabric pods using suction tools, structured light for depth measurement, and neural models for segmentation and classification
Both robots use stereo cameras and AI algorithms to create 3D models of pods, identify items, and determine optimal placement or extraction points
A second arm with a hook EOAT manages elastic bands covering pod fronts, ensuring smooth access to items
Items are randomly distributed in pods to increase efficiency and reduce the likelihood of multiple stations needing the same pod simultaneously
Vulcan handles tasks on high and low shelves, reducing the need for stepladders and improving ergonomics for human workers
Vulcan robots can handle approximately 75% of item types in FCs, working at speeds comparable to human workers
Six Vulcan Stow robots completed a pilot in Spokane, Washington, with 30 additional robots set for beta testing at the same facility