PlebbySpaff

PlebbySpaff t1_it2v8st wrote

Yeah I know. But I am speaking from experience, so I at least have some knowledge on the robotics (not a huge amount, but maybe enough to clarify a few things). This is the futurology subreddit, so it’s a good place to discuss these thing. I specifically work at what’s called an Automated Robotics Fulfillment Center (ARFC).

If people wanna attack it, whatever. But this is really a place for discussion, and not some weird personal beliefs that’d derail it.

Also may have a video of the roomba units moving somewhere in my photo album. For the picture you see in the post, I could probably get one next week when I get back to work.

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PlebbySpaff t1_it2pi8b wrote

I mean as someone that works at Amazon, the time off task thing is really more a measure to see how often people get off task (e.g., someone being gone for 30 minutes at a time is gonna raise suspicions from their managers).

But that aside, we have automated robots at our FC (the one in the photo is one we also have at our Outbound docks). It does the work well of sorting totes, but constantly requires a human to maintain it and fix issues that may arise. Also usually turns off when people go to break/lunch, because it can’t run on its own the entire time without a potential issue. I understand the fear of automation when it comes to keeping up with production, but at the rate they go now, it will be very many years before robotics gets to a point where it can just outright replace humans.

As for rates though, it varies by facility, but the overall rate average that Amazon expects across all facilities is something anyone can really manage. Those that may have accommodations or some trouble with the work typically are excluded from having to hit rate.

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