Amazon has begun testing humanoid robots in its warehouses, insisting the machines will help eliminate repetitive tasks and not replace people.

The US tech giant has deployed a mobile, bipedal robot called Digit, that can lift and move containers using its “hands” in one of the company’s warehouses near Seattle.

The machine stands at 5ft 9 inches tall, weighs 65kg and can carry up to 35kg.

Amazon said in a blog post: “Its size and shape are well suited for buildings that are 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 robot will initially be used to pick up and collect empty baskets for workers, meaning humans will not need to lift as much.


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Digit has been built by Agility Robotics, a start-up Amazon invested in last year.

The launch comes amid fears that artificial intelligence and robotic automation could rapidly replace millions of jobs in both offices and factories.

Tye Brady, technology chief at Amazon Robotics, told reporters people were “irreplaceable” in its fulfilment centres. He said the launch of Digit “does not” mean Amazon will need fewer human workers, the Guardian reported.

Mr Brady said robots could help to “eliminate all the menial, the mundane and the repetitive” tasks within Amazon’s business.

The tech giant has already deployed hundreds of thousands of other robotic machines across its operations.

On Wednesday, it announced the deployment of a robotic system called Sequoia at a warehouse in Houston. This system combines a robotic workstation with machines for collecting and sorting packages for delivery.

In a blog post, Amazon said: “With this system, employees will no longer have to regularly reach above their heads or squat down to pick customer orders, supporting our efforts to reduce the risk of injuries.”

The tech company has come under pressure in the US from politicians to explain the rate of injuries in some of its warehouses.

It has also developed a robotic arm, called Sparrow, that can identify and sort millions of different types of items.

Amazon said “lost time incidents” were 18pc lower at sites where it had deployed robots, compared to human-only warehouses.