Amazon claims it will have invested £600 million in robotics and AI-powered technologies across its European fulfilment network between 2019 and the end of 2024.

The retail giant also says that it has deployed over 1,000 robotics-based systems across its European fulfilment centre network during this time.

It said these new technologies have “enhanced” 50,000 new jobs within its European operations over the past decade.

Amazon claims that “more than 1,000” of these technologies have come out of its Amazon Operations Innovation Lab based in Vercelli, Italy.

Amazon's director of global robotics, mechatronics and sustainable packaging Stefano La Rovere said: “We are proud to open the doors of our lab, not only as a hub of innovation for Amazon but to encourage customers, schools and start-ups to be inspired and learn about the potential for technologies to create a better and safer future of work."

Over the past year, Amazon has been striking up new partnerships in the field of robotics, which could one day enhance its warehouses.

In October 2023, Amazon announced it was trialling a new humanoid robot to reduce repetitive tasks in its warehouses.

Digit, a robot developed by Agility Robotics, can stand on two legs and lift items to help staff with tote recycling.

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