Amazon Robotics

Last updated
Amazon Robotics LLC
Formerly
Kiva Systems (2003–2015)
Company type Subsidiary
Founded2003;21 years ago (2003)
HeadquartersUnited States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Parent Amazon (2012–present)
Website amazon.jobs/amazon-robotics

Amazon Robotics, formerly Kiva Systems, is a Massachusetts-based company that manufactures mobile robotic fulfillment systems. [1] [2] It is a subsidiary company of Amazon.com. Its automated storage and retrieval systems have been used in the past by companies including The Gap, Walgreens, Staples, Gilt Groupe, Office Depot, Crate & Barrel, and Saks 5th Avenue. [3] Employees of Erstwhile Kiva now only work in Amazon warehouses.[ citation needed ]

Contents

History

After working on the business process team at Webvan, Mick Mountz concluded that the company's downfall was due to the inflexibility of existing material handling systems and the high cost of order fulfillment. [4] These challenges inspired Mountz to create a method to pick, pack, and ship orders through a system that could deliver any item to any operator at any time. To accomplish his vision, Mountz sought help from Peter Wurman and Raffaello D'Andrea. In 2003, Mountz became the founder and CEO of Kiva Systems, through his partnership with co-founders Wurman and D'Andrea.

Overview

Traditionally, goods are moved around a distribution center using a conveyor system or by human-operated machines (such as forklifts). In Kiva's approach, items are stored in portable storage units. When an order is entered into the Kiva database system, the software locates the closest automated guided vehicle to the item and directs it to retrieve it. The mobile robots navigate around the warehouse by following a series of computerized bar-code stickers on the floor. Each drive unit has a sensor that prevents it from colliding with others. When the drive unit reaches the target location, it slides underneath the pod and lifts it off the ground through a corkscrew action. The robot then carries the pod to the specified human operator to pick up the items. [5]

Kiva sold systems based on two different robot models. The smaller model was approximately 2 by 2.5 feet (0.61 by 0.76 m), 18 inches (460 mm) high, and capable of lifting 1,000 pounds (450 kg). The larger model was capable of carrying a pallet with loads as heavy as 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg). [6] Both were a distinctive orange color. The maximum velocity of the robots was 1.3 metres per second (4.3 ft/s). [7] The mobile bots were battery-powered and needed to be recharged every hour for five minutes.

The system is considered much more efficient and accurate than the traditional method of having human workers traveling around the warehouse locating and picking items. [8]

Acquisition by Amazon

An Amazon warehouse robot Amazon warehouse robot 2020.JPG
An Amazon warehouse robot

In March 2012, Amazon.com acquired Kiva Systems for US$775 million. At the time, this was Amazon's second-largest acquisition in its history. [9]

Since the acquisition by Amazon, Kiva has remained quiet. The company has not announced any new Kiva customers and has stopped its marketing activities. [10] Most of Kiva's sales staff have departed, though the company continues to hire in the engineering and manufacturing departments. Industry observers speculate that Amazon is focusing on internal operations and is not interested in sharing the technology with competitors. [9]

In August 2015, the company officially changed its name from Kiva Systems LLC to Amazon Robotics LLC. [11] [12]

As of June 2019, Amazon had more than 200,000 robots working in their warehouses. [13] Amazon now (January 2020) has more than 200K robots (they call them "drives") in their warehouses. [14] [15] Cathie Wood in 2023 predicted that by 2030 Amazon warehouses will have more robots than people by adding about 1000 per day [16] should have 1M total in 2024 (next year), instead of linear predicted 800K. Newest warehouses already have more robots than people. [17] Amazon Robotics introduced the robotic tech vest in 2019. [18]

In July 2022, Amazon unveiled its first ever autonomous mobile robot (AMR) Proteus. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazon (company)</span> American multinational technology company

Amazon.com, Inc., doing business as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company, engaged in e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It is considered one of the Big Five American technology companies; the other four are Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automation</span> Use of various control systems for operating equipment

Automation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, mainly by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machines. Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic devices, and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as modern factories, airplanes, and ships typically use combinations of all of these techniques. The benefit of automation includes labor savings, reducing waste, savings in electricity costs, savings in material costs, and improvements to quality, accuracy, and precision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logistics automation</span> Application of computer software or automated machinery

Logistics automation is the application of computer software or automated machinery to improve the efficiency of logistics operations. Typically this refers to operations within a warehouse or distribution center, with broader tasks undertaken by supply chain engineering systems and enterprise resource planning systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated guided vehicle</span> Type of portable robot

An automated guided vehicle (AGV), different from an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), is a portable robot that follows along marked long lines or wires on the floor, or uses radio waves, vision cameras, magnets, or lasers for navigation. They are most often used in industrial applications to transport heavy materials around a large industrial building, such as a factory or warehouse. Application of the automatic guided vehicle broadened during the late 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile robot</span> Type of robot

A mobile robot is an automatic machine that is capable of locomotion. Mobile robotics is usually considered to be a subfield of robotics and information engineering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated storage and retrieval system</span> Robotic warehouse for physical objects

An automated storage and retrieval system consists of a variety of computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are typically used in applications where:

Order processing is the process or work-flow associated with the picking, packing, and delivery of the packed items to a shipping carrier and is a key element of order fulfillment. Order processing operations or facilities are commonly called “distribution centers” or “DC 's”. There are wide variances in the level of automation associating to the “pick-pack-and-ship” process, ranging from completely manual and paper-driven to highly automated and completely mechanized; computer systems overseeing this process are generally referred to as Warehouse Management Systems or “WMS”.

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Harvest Automation, Inc. is a robotics company headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, that manufactures small, mobile material handling robots for nursery, greenhouse and eCommerce fulfillment applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raffaello D'Andrea</span> Canadian-Italian-Swiss engineer, artist, and entrepreneur

Raffaello D’Andrea is a Canadian-Italian-Swiss engineer, artist, and entrepreneur. He is professor of dynamic systems and control at ETH Zurich. He is a co-founder of Kiva Systems, and the founder of Verity, an innovator in autonomous drones. He was the faculty advisor and system architect of the Cornell Robot Soccer Team, four time world champions at the annual RoboCup competition. He is a new media artist, whose work includes The Table, the Robotic Chair, and Flight Assembled Architecture. In 2013, D’Andrea co-founded ROBO Global, which launched the world's first exchange traded fund focused entirely on the theme of robotics and AI. ROBO Global was acquired by VettaFi in 2023.

Michael C. "Mick" Mountz is an American entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Kiva Systems, which makes order fulfillment systems using mobile robots for warehouse automation. The company was bought by Amazon.com in March 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated convenience store</span>

An automated convenience store is a convenience store that operates without a cashier, and instead relies on computers and robotics.

Vecna Robotics, Inc. is an American robotics and technology company headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 2018 as a spin-off from Vecna Technologies, the company specializes in automated material handling, hybrid fulfillment and workflow optimization for industrial applications.

Bruce Welty is an American entrepreneur and businessman who designs and builds warehouse management systems (wms) and e-commerce order fulfillment systems. Welty is a founder of AllPoints Systems, Inc., Quiet Logistics, Inc., and Locus Robotics Corporation. He is the former chairman of the board for Locus and former chief executive officer and chairman of the board for Quiet Logistics. Mr. Welty holds 11 patents. His media appearances include 60 Minutes, CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg News.

Quiet Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) company headquartered in Devens, Massachusetts. Quiet specializes in providing order fulfillment and returns management services to e-commerce retailers. In November 2021, American Eagle Outfitters announced that it would acquire Quiet Logistics for $350 million in cash.

Amazon Scout is a 6 wheeled delivery robot used to deliver packages for multinational company Amazon. Amazon Scout originally debuted on January 23, 2019, delivering packages to Amazon customers in Snohomish County, Washington. Amazon scouts move on sidewalks, at a walking pace. In August, 2019, the robots started delivering packages to customers Irvine, California on a test basis, with human monitors. The package is stored inside of the robot, and driven to the customer.

Attabotics is a robotics company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada that specializes in Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) inventory management systems. Founded in 2016, the company designs and manufactures intelligent robots that operate within a modular, three-dimensional storage structure that minimizes the traditional fulfillment center footprint.

Berkshire Grey, Inc. is an American technology company based in Bedford Massachusetts that develops integrated artificial intelligence (“AI") and robotic solutions for e-commerce, retail replenishment, and logistics. The company's systems automate pick, pack and sort operations.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us – The Kiva Approach – A Different kind of Material Handling Company & Complete Warehouse Automation Solution". Kiva Systems. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Amazon buys warehouse robotics start-up Kiva Systems for $775 million". Boston.com.
  3. ↑ "History of Kiva Systems". Kiva Systems. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Mick Mountz". Kiva Systems. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014.
  5. ↑ Giacaglia, Giuliano (2019-05-29). "Robots in the Industry". Medium. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  6. ↑ Steiner, Christopher (16 March 2009). "Bot-In-Time Delivery — Forbes.com".
  7. ↑ "Three Engineers, Hundreds of Robots, One Warehouse — IEEE Spectrum". Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  8. ↑ "Warehousing and Distribution Centers: Zappos.com goes Space Age". Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  9. 1 2 "Will Amazon-owned robot maker sell to e-tailer's rivals? – The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  10. ↑ SCDigest Editorial Staff (March 31, 2014). "Supply Chain News: Amazon will not Make Kiva Systems Available to General Market for at Least Two Years". Supply Chain Digest.
  11. ↑ "Amazon Robotics". Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2015-08-06.
  12. ↑ Ames, Ben (2015-04-26). "Kiva Systems to be renamed Amazon Robotics". DC Velocity.
  13. ↑ Holley, Peter (June 7, 2019). "Amazon's one-day delivery service depends on the work of thousands of robots". Washington Post. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  14. ↑ Edwards, David (2020-01-21). "Amazon now has 200,000 robots working in its warehouses". Robotics & Automation News.
  15. ↑ "Look back on 10 years of Amazon robotics". About Amazon. 2022-06-21.
  16. ↑ Pound, Jesse (Feb 1, 2023). "Robots could surpass workers at Amazon by 2030, Cathie Wood says". CNBC.
  17. ↑ DiStefano, Joseph N. (Oct 17, 2021). "Inside Amazon's largest warehouse — where you'll find more robots than people". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  18. ↑ "Amazon-Mitarbeiter erhalten "Roboter-Schutzwesten"". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  19. ↑ Wessling, Brianna (August 31, 2022). "How Amazon developed precision autonomy for Proteus". The Robot Report. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
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