Amazon’s new robot can “feel” like a human hand

Amazon has introduced Vulcan, its first robot equipped with a sense of touch. Unveiled at the "Delivering the Future" event in Dortmund, Germany, on May 7, Vulcan is already operational in fulfillment centers in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, where it has processed over 500,000 orders.

Vulcan's capabilities stem from force-sensitive grippers and joint sensors that allow it to detect the contours and resistance of items it handles. This enables the robot to adjust its grip appropriately, gently holding a soft bag of candy or firmly grasping a heavy book without causing damage.

Aaron Parness, Amazon's Director of Applied Science, leads the 250-person team behind Vulcan. He describes the robot as a breakthrough in "physical intelligence," highlighting its ability to interact with the physical world more safely and effectively.


Unlike traditional industrial robots that may stop or cause damage upon unexpected contact, Vulcan can sense and adapt to its environment.

Designed to handle about 75% of the items in a typical Amazon warehouse, Vulcan focuses on picking products from bulk storage and packing them into movable shelves

Its "hand" combines a conveyor belt gripper with a spatula-like tool, both fitted with sensors that measure pressure and torque. A ruler-like tool between the paddles acts as a spatial guide, rearranging items in storage bins to create space for new ones.

While Vulcan can work up to 20 hours a day, it has limitations. It cannot lift items heavier than 8 pounds and flags human workers for assistance when encountering unfamiliar objects.

Amazon emphasizes that Vulcan is designed to complement, not replace, human workers. By handling tasks that are physically taxing or ergonomically challenging, such as reaching items in high or low bins, Vulcan allows employees to focus on tasks within their ergonomic "power zone," reducing physical strain and enhancing productivity.

The introduction of Vulcan aligns with Amazon's broader strategy to integrate automation into its operations, aiming to "flatten its hiring curve" over the next decade.

With over 750,000 robots already in use, Amazon continues to stress its commitment to human roles, asserting that automation will free employees for higher-value tasks and create new job categories in maintenance and operations.