Amazon Pours 700 Million Euros into Robotics and AI at European Innovation Lab
Amazon is pushing the boundaries of technology in Europe with a hefty investment of 700 million euros dedicated to robotics and artificial intelligence. The company’s Innovation Lab in Vercelli, Italy, is at the forefront of this initiative, developing technologies that not only enhance employee support but also boost customer satisfaction.
Since 2017, the lab has been the epicenter for Amazon’s global Mechatronics & Sustainable Packaging team. By the end of 2024, this team is set to implement over 1,000 robotics and AI-driven innovations across Amazon’s network of European fulfillment centers. These advancements include sophisticated item sorters and automated guided vehicles, designed to streamline operations and ensure a safer workplace.
The facility not only functions as a pivotal development hub but also serves as a training center for Amazon Robotics operators and fosters innovation among startups through the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund. Starting this year, the lab will also open its doors to the public, offering a glimpse into the future of technology development.
The integration of these technologies has led to the creation of new job roles, enhancing over 50,000 positions across Amazon’s European fulfillment centers over the past decade. These roles are tailored to meet the changing technological landscape, providing workers with safer conditions and opportunities for skill advancement.
Stefano La Rovere, Director for Global Robotics – Mechatronics & Sustainable Packaging at Amazon, expressed pride in the lab’s dual role as a beacon of innovation and a learning center. “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,” he stated.
With this substantial investment, Amazon reaffirms its commitment to pioneering significant technological advancements and shaping the future of work in Europe.