DARTFORD, England: Amazon introduced a new generation of AI-powered warehouse robot capable of responding to conversational instructions, as the company announced a €10 billion ($11.6 billion) investment in its European fulfillment network.
The new robot was unveiled at Amazon's "Delivering the Future" event at its Dartford fulfillment center near London, highlighting the company's push to automate operations and accelerate deliveries.
The upgraded version of Proteus, Amazon's mobile warehouse robot, represents a significant advance from the current model, which is deployed at 25 sites across the United States and is limited to dock operations where it moves carts weighing up to nearly 400 kilograms (882 pounds).
Unlike its predecessor, the new Proteus will be able to move throughout warehouse floors and respond directly to human instructions.
"You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing," said Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics.
The new robot is expected to begin operating in Europe during the first half of 2027.
Amazon also showcased several other robotics technologies during the event, including STARK, a robotic tote-handling system that was first tested in Barcelona and is scheduled to be deployed at 15 European facilities by 2027.
The company additionally highlighted Vulcan, which it describes as its first robot equipped with a sense of touch, allowing it to handle items with greater precision.
Alongside its robotics announcements, Amazon outlined plans to further expand its delivery network across Europe.
The company said it will open more than 25 sub-same-day delivery facilities across the region this year, including new locations in the United Kingdom and Germany.
Amazon Now, its ultra-fast delivery service for everyday essentials, will also be expanded to Manchester and Birmingham in Britain.
The retailer said same-day grocery delivery is now available in more than 2,300 cities across the United States as well as parts of Tokyo. Additional grocery delivery expansion is planned in Japan, Britain and other international markets in the coming months.
Amazon also announced that Alexa+, its next-generation artificial intelligence assistant, will launch in 10 additional countries in 2027.
The investments form part of Amazon's broader strategy to increase spending on AI technologies and infrastructure.
In February, the company forecast capital expenditure of approximately $200 billion this year, representing an increase of more than 50% from the previous year as it joins other major technology companies in accelerating investments in artificial intelligence, data centers and automation technologies.
