Amazon unveils new AI warehouse robot in $12 billion Europe push

DARTFORD, England June 4 (Reuters) – Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab on Thursday unveiled an upgraded ‌AI-powered mobile robot for its warehouses that can respond to conversational prompts, as part of a €10 billion ($11.6 billion) investment in its European fulfilment network.

The Seattle-based e-commerce giant showcased the ​next-generation Proteus robot at its “Delivering the Future” event at its Dartford ​fulfilment centre east of London, as it works to speed up ⁠deliveries.

The current Proteus, deployed at 25 U.S. sites, operates only in dock ​areas, moving carts weighing up to nearly 400 kg (882 lbs).

The new version, due in Europe in the first half of 2027, can operate across warehouse floors and marks a shift in how employees interact with robots.

“You tell it ​what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, ​the timing,” said Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics.

Amazon also showcased STARK, a robotic ‌tote-handling ⁠system first piloted in Barcelona and set to roll out to 15 European sites by 2027, and Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch.

Amazon said it will launch more than 25 sub-same-day delivery sites across Europe ​this year, including in ​Britain and Germany. Amazon ⁠Now, its ultra-fast essentials delivery service, will expand to Manchester and Birmingham in Britain.

It said same-day delivery for fresh ​groceries is now available in more than 2,300 U.S. cities ​and ⁠parts of Tokyo, with further expansion planned in Japan, Britain and other countries in the coming months.

Amazon also said Alexa+, its next-generation AI assistant, will launch in 10 ⁠additional countries ​in 2027.

In February, Amazon forecast a more ​than 50% jump in capital expenditure to $200 billion this year, joining its peers in a spending spree to ​ramp up AI infrastructure.

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