Amazon presents new autonomous robot: Proteus on the road to success

This week, Amazon announced the introduction of its first fully autonomous robot, Proteus, which is set to play a central role in logistics. The small, green robot, resembling a large Roomba, is specialized in moving carts full of packages in logistics centers. But its mission goes further: it aims to win over human hearts as well. Amazon also announced the launch of a new "next-generation" logistics center in Shreveport, Louisiana, where robotics usage is to be increased tenfold. This should reduce shipping costs by 25 percent. Proteus can move autonomously and avoid obstacles, allowing it to operate outside of delineated areas in the warehouse for the first time. Equipped with a face and eyes, it aims to gain favor with the staff and ensure safety. Julie Mitchell, Director at Amazon Robotics, emphasized at the "Delivering the Future" event that Proteus's lovable character was at the forefront of its development. She added with a wink that it is important for people to enjoy interacting with the robot. The in-house logistics innovations are intended to foster long-term collaboration between humans and machines, with Proteus serving as the symbolic figure of this symbiosis. However, there are also critical voices, particularly from unions, concerned that jobs could be automated. A study commissioned by Amazon from the MIT Industrial Performance Center found, however, that many employees are rather optimistic about automation, presumably because it could make their daily work easier. The study suggests that automation does not necessarily threaten the role of employees but could open up new opportunities for collaboration. Other companies, such as Tesla, are also pursuing ambitious plans for robot development. However, the path to full autonomy is still long, and many economic and ethical questions remain about the future of human-robot coexistence.