Amazon’s New Robots Are Rolling Out an Automation Revolution

As technology develops so fast, it has changed people's daily life thoroughly. Everything can become automated. You can let a robot vacuum help you do the housework, a dishwasher helps you clean the dishes, and even an AI chatbot helps you work.

Amazon is an American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world, and one of the Big Five American technology companies. Recently, one robot appeared in Amazon's warehouse, which is named Proteus. Its job is to transport those suitcase-sized plastic containers filled with packages to trucks in a loading bay. And it's so intelligent that it can distinguish humans from those inanimate objects and make its decisions about the transportation path.

The balance between automation and humans may change as a result of Amazon's newest robots, which might affect the entire company and industry.

In this blog, we'll explore the pros and cons of robotic automation, and introduce the 10 most influential robots in history.

Pros of robotic automation

1. Increased flexibility

Businesses must adapt to changing consumer demands in terms of both the products they offer and the methods through which they generate them. Manufacturing lines can be in constant motion due to changes in design, materials, and the creation of new products, necessitating frequent personnel retraining.

Software-controlled automated systems can be readily reprogrammed or have their current method changed to comply with the new product specifications. Many modern systems can even store multiple manufacturing programs to allow for quick switching between product kinds.

2. Quality assurance

The accuracy and efficiency of humans depend on their intelligence level. So humans are more likely to make mistakes when they work continuously for a long time. And this can lead to costly errors for the company, and sometimes serious injury and losses to the staff. With robotic automation, we can eliminate those risks by accurately producing and checking items that meet the required standard without fail. In this way, the quality of products can be assured. In addition, the business can attract more customers thanks to the higher-standard products.

3. Higher efficiency

A human worker can only work for 8-10 hours per day when they do some repetitive tasks. So at this time, using robotic automation is meaningful and effective. Robots are designed to make repetitive movements. They don't need any breaks, vacations, or sick leaves and can work for 24 hours every day. With tedious and repetitive tasks done by robots, humans can spend more energy and time on creative work. As a result, efficiency and products will greatly improve, which will also lead to extremely satisfied clients.

4. Ability to work in a dangerous environment

Staff workers in certain industries may be required to work in hazardous or unstable settings in addition to potential occupational injuries. Robotic automation, for instance, provides the best option in situations where there are a lot of chemicals present because it will continue to operate safely.

Cons of robotic automation

1. Potential risks of unemployment

One of the biggest concerns of robotic automation is the potential risks of job losses. If robots can finish tasks faster and better, then the fear is that human workers won't be needed anymore. Automation probably not only causes unemployment but also destroys the relationship and sense of connection brought by employment.

2. High initial outlay

The substantial initial investment required for robotics and automation in manufacturing is a drawback. Robotic automation allows for a great deal of customization, but because of this, the cost of designing and programming a system may be higher than a corporation is willing to spend for a single production line segment.

10 Most influential robots in the history

1. Around 350 BC: The Pigeon

Archytas is a Greek philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, and statesman. One of his many projects was a wooden mechanical bird, named Pigeon. It was driven by the stream and could fly for up to 200 meters. The pigeon might not only be the first robot in the world, but also the first flying contraption.

2. 1495: Leonardo’s Robot

Even Leonardo Da Vinci contributed to the history of robotics by creating the first robot that resembled a human. According to sketches, he built a robotic knight in 1495 that could stand, sit, raise his visor, and move his arms.

Designers in the present day were able to recreate the robot using the original sketches. The fact that the replica can carry out all the aforementioned motions suggests that the original presumably could as well.

3. 1949: Grey Walter's tortoises

These "tortoises" were first created in 1949 by American-born neuroscientist William Grey Walter, who was based in England. They featured a light sensor, marker light, touch sensor, propulsion motor, steering motor, and protective shell. They are now viewed as early examples of robots that can independently investigate their surroundings.

They even possessed certain intelligent features, such as the capacity to navigate toward a light source in the event of low power. When they "saw" their own light in a mirror, this caused interesting behavior. The statement made by Walter was that this "might be accepted as evidence of some degree of self-awareness."

4. 1961: Unimate

Unimate, the first industrial robot ever built, started working on the General Motors assembly line in 1961. Its task was to move to die castings off the production line so they could be soldered to automobile bodies.

It was the first instance of a modern robot performing tasks that would previously have required a person to complete them.

5. 1972: Shakey

Shakey, a highly publicized robot created in the 1960s at the Stanford Research Institute's Artificial Intelligence Center, represented an astounding advancement in computer vision, natural language processing, problem-solving, and, of course, robotics.

Shakey was especially impressive because it could evaluate instructions and separate them into component parts in a way that combined logical thinking with physical action.

6. 1960s-1970s: Freddy II

The University of Edinburgh in Scotland created Freddy II, a robot arm with adjustable grippers, a camera, and sophisticated image recognition software, during the 1960s and 1970s. Freddy was able to assemble a wooden block model boat and car by moving over a table like an arcade claw crane.

7. 1989: Genghis

In 1989, MIT debuted its Genghis hexapod robot. Consisting of 4 microprocessors, 22 sensors, and 12 servo motors Genghis' walking action was very revolutionary for its time. The design of the Genghis robot was inspired by insects that have limited brain functions yet possess tremendous functionality.

8. 1997: Mars Pathfinder

NASA sent a robot named Mars Pathfinder to Mars in 1997.  After being successfully landed on Mars, Pathfinder deployed the smaller Sojourner rover, which spent 83 days exploring the Martian surface and returning a ton of photographs as well as different chemical, atmospheric, and other measurements.

9. 2000s: ASIMO

One of the robotics industry's most amazing devices, the ASIMO, was unveiled by Honda. It can move like a human and turn on most surfaces, imitate different human gaits, use its arms, converse and listen, see, and identify people or objects. Of course, the ASIMO still needs to improve before it can outperform humans, but Honda already has many plans for new models.

10. 2004: Big Dog

One of the robotics industry's most amazing devices, the ASIMO, was unveiled by Honda. It can move like a human and turn on most surfaces, imitate different human gaits, use its arms, converse and listen, see, and identify people or objects. Of course, the ASIMO still needs to improve before it can outperform humans, but Honda already has many plans for new models.

Conclusion

Numerous industries have been changed by robotic automation, which has both many advantages and some possible disadvantages. Increased efficiency, productivity, and flexibility are benefits, but there are also drawbacks, including job losses. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of robotic automation enables us to safely use it, maximizing its beneficial effects while minimizing potential problems.

By comprehending the benefits and drawbacks, we can better use robotic automation to boost effectiveness and productivity.

The 10 most influential robots in history also act as reminders of the amazing accomplishments and opportunities that robots and AI provide in shaping our lives.