Submitted by Surur t3_yrnisr in Futurology
Comments
InitiativeRoutine520 t1_ivuk3vv wrote
We have one of them here at edi4 never seen it used but I heard they got it for free?? No idea what it does I think it's to take boxes of the line and place onto a palate to be shipped out so not exactly the same thing but as I said it never gets used and it's been said it loves to eat boxes and throw them lol
Godgobbledmyknoble t1_ivy1d6y wrote
As someone who has done the same job as this robot, I highly doubt (unless they make the whole stow/pick cycle robotic) these will get much use. Good luck to our robot overlords trying to get a package that’s buried or squeezed onto one of those shelves that some poor soul who hates their job forced into place.
NikoKun t1_iw0766m wrote
I assume they'll likely change a lot about how the items are stored, in order to avoid that issue, rather than leave them on traditional shelves.
FuturologyBot t1_ivunr1m wrote
The following submission statement was provided by /u/Surur:
Amazon has introduced a new robot called Sparrow which will help them overcome their worker shortage and take on a new role in warehouses - bin picking. Previously robots could only move bins around, and Amazon relied on humans to pick them.
> The system — as with its predecessors is an off-the-shelf Fanuc system customized with Amazon hardware and software. The former is a hydraulic-based suction system capable of lifting objects at a variety of weights.
> The latter utilizes sensors to identify the items based on a variety of different inputs, including size, shape and bar codes. An Amazon spokesperson claims the system is able to identify around 65% of the company’s entire product inventory.
Here is a gif of it in action.
Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/yrnisr/amazon_debuts_sparrow_a_new_binpicking_robot_arm/ivui619/
OliverSparrow t1_iwb86zs wrote
Fame at last, as an appendage. When we in Shell were looking at grocery ordering on an 'on line' that we were going to invent, we were naturally focused on single picking warehouses. Robotics were of course fundamental, but we settled on cassette dispensers, whereby manufacturers were to supply standard sized packages that were bulk broken and dispensed accordingly. Alll you then need was to tell the system which dispenser held what and belt-carry individual order "baskets" to appropriate dispensers. Arms waving around don't sound too practical, in the light of jams, misplaced feeds and so on.
Surur OP t1_ivui619 wrote
Amazon has introduced a new robot called Sparrow which will help them overcome their worker shortage and take on a new role in warehouses - bin picking. Previously robots could only move bins around, and Amazon relied on humans to pick them.
> The system — as with its predecessors is an off-the-shelf Fanuc system customized with Amazon hardware and software. The former is a hydraulic-based suction system capable of lifting objects at a variety of weights.
> The latter utilizes sensors to identify the items based on a variety of different inputs, including size, shape and bar codes. An Amazon spokesperson claims the system is able to identify around 65% of the company’s entire product inventory.
Here is a gif of it in action.