While modern cameras provide machines with a very well-developed sense of vision, robots still lack such a comprehensive solution for their sense of touch.
An employee scans an item at work stations part of mobile robotic fulfilment systems. AFP via Getty Images
Amazon eight years ago purchased robotic fulfilment system maker Kiva Systems for $775 million, a deal paying very clear dividends now as the acquisition boosted delivery capacity from warehouses.
Luca Ramotti, an analyst at Legal & General Investment Management, said the firm recently heard from the co-founder of Kiva Systems, Raffaello DâAndrea, who said Amazon has been able to deploy hundreds of thousands of mobile robots that run on artificial intelligence. Operating each robot around-the-clock uses just 25 cents a day in electricity, he said.