Amazon is taking a leap forward in its pursuit of automation in its warehouses, with a new addition to its robot workforce. The e-commerce giant already boasts a staggering 750,000 robots in its warehouses, primarily consisting of robotic arms and wheeled machines designed to handle repetitive tasks and make the workflow more efficient. However, the latest robot in Amazon’s arsenal might leave warehouse workers pondering the future of their roles.

Meet Digit, a humanoid robot currently undergoing testing at Amazon’s robotics research and development facility, located just south of Seattle. Unlike the standard robotic arms and wheels, Digit can walk and handle packages destined for customers, offering a glimpse of what the future might hold for warehouse automation.

Digit first made waves in 2019 when it was initially pitched as a potential delivery robot. Created by Oregon-based startup Agility Robotics, this bipedal robot has seen significant improvements in mobility and agility, largely driven by investments from Amazon.

In an online statement, Amazon explained, “Its size and shape are well suited for buildings designed for humans, and we believe that there is a big opportunity to scale a mobile manipulator solution, such as Digit, which can work collaboratively with employees.” The company’s initial plan is to have Digit assist employees with repetitive tasks, such as picking up and moving empty crates once they’ve been emptied of items.

Amazon isn’t stopping there in its quest for automation. The company is also introducing a robotic system named Sequoia at one of its warehouses in Houston, Texas. This low-slung, wheel-based robot can identify and store inventory a whopping 75% faster than its human counterparts, ultimately reducing order processing times by as much as 25%, according to Amazon’s claims.

While some might speculate that Amazon aims to replace human labor with robots entirely, the company insists that its goal is to have machines collaborate with employees. This approach aligns with how Amazon designs and deploys systems like Sequoia and Digit.

“Over the last 10 years, we’ve rolled out hundreds of thousands of robotics systems while also creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs within our operations,” Amazon stated. They further added, “By equipping our employees with new technology and training them to develop new skills, we’re creating career paths and new and exciting ways for people to contribute here at Amazon.“

With the introduction of robots like Digit and Sequoia, Amazon is pushing the boundaries of warehouse automation, promising increased efficiency while working in harmony with its human workforce. The future of the retail giant’s warehouse operations is evolving, blending the best of human and robotic capabilities.