Amazon has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered warehouse robot as part of a €10 billion investment programme to expand and modernise its European fulfilment network, a move aimed at accelerating deliveries and increasing automation across the region.

The US ecommerce group introduced the next-generation Proteus robot at its Delivering the Future event in Dartford, east of London, with deployment across European facilities scheduled for the first half of 2027. The robot can operate throughout warehouse floors and respond to conversational instructions from employees rather than requiring technical commands.

Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics, said: “You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing.” The system is designed to take on physically demanding tasks such as moving heavy carts, allowing staff to focus on inventory management and quality control.

The existing Proteus robot is already operating at 25 sites in the United States but is limited to dock areas. The upgraded version is intended to move goods across fulfilment centres and delivery locations, marking a broader shift in how workers interact with automation.

Amazon said the investment programme will support the expansion of other robotics technologies, including STARK, a tote-handling system first piloted in Barcelona that is expected to be deployed at 15 European sites by 2027. The company is also extending the use of Vulcan, its first robot equipped with a sense of touch, which can identify and handle objects in densely packed storage environments.

According to Amazon, the European investment will be accompanied by plans to add 25,000 jobs across its fulfilment network over the coming years. Armin Cossmann, vice president of operations for Europe, said: “This transformation is designed to deliver a step-change in how we support our employees and serve our customers.”

The company used the event to outline wider logistics expansion plans, which involve plans to open more than 25 sub-same-day delivery sites across Europe this year, including locations in Britain and Germany, while its Amazon Now rapid-delivery service will expand to Manchester and Birmingham.

The announcement comes as Amazon increases spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure globally. Reuters reported that the company forecast in February that capital expenditure would rise by more than 50 per cent to around $200 billion this year as technology groups invest heavily in AI capabilities.

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