On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Amazon robot

Robot
Artist/Maker
Amazon Technologies Inc. (Designed and manufactured)

The Amazon robot is being loaned for the 'Automation and Labour: The Changing Nature of Work' section of the Design: 1900 to Now galleries. Along with the Motorola Wearable terminal (CD.39-2014), it tells the story of how the nature of retail work has changed to meet the demand for next-day deliveries. The robot has automated part of the warehouse worker's role, reducing the amount they must walk and, in turn, increasing efficiency. Amazon is one of the world's largest online marketplaces, a household name, and a leader of warehouse innovation.

Object details

Category
Shopping
Object type
robot
TitleAmazon robot (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic
Brief description
Amazon warehouse robot
Physical description
An orange robot with features including a turn-table and a camera to enable it to carry shelves to warehouse workers.
Dimensions
  • Width: 71cm
  • Length: 102cm
  • Height: 25cm (Note: Turn table raised)
  • Weight: 145kg (approximately)
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(17/06/2021)
A robot as my colleague

Online shopping is radically changing the way we shop, and with it, the nature of retail work. To meet demand for next-day deliveries, retailers are using technology to boost efficiency in their warehouses. Robots used in Amazon distribution centres bring shelves with products to workers, reducing walking time and increasing capacity. Elsewhere, wrist-worn computers provide employees with automated instructions on which products to collect, scan and pack, and give immediate feedback. While automation speeds up order processing and reduces the potential for error, it also changes how we work and who we work with.

Wrist-worn computer
Motorola WT41N0, 2013
Designed by and manufactured for Motorola Solutions, USA
Plastic case, textile strap and electronic components
Given by Symbol Technologies, Inc.
Museum no. CD.39:1 to 5-2014

Amazon warehouse robot
2020
Designed by Amazon Robotics, USA
Metal casing and electronic components
On loan from Amazon Services UK
Museum no. LOAN:DAD.1-2021

The object sits in the 'Automation and Labour' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.
Credit line
Lent by Amazon UK Services Ltd
Summary
The Amazon robot is being loaned for the 'Automation and Labour: The Changing Nature of Work' section of the Design: 1900 to Now galleries. Along with the Motorola Wearable terminal (CD.39-2014), it tells the story of how the nature of retail work has changed to meet the demand for next-day deliveries. The robot has automated part of the warehouse worker's role, reducing the amount they must walk and, in turn, increasing efficiency. Amazon is one of the world's largest online marketplaces, a household name, and a leader of warehouse innovation.
Collection
Design, Architecture and Digital Department
Accession number
LOAN:DAD.1-2021

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Record createdApril 1, 2021
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1603114/amazon-robot-robot-amazon-technologies-inc/
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