The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

A decade after acquiring Kiva, Amazon unveils its first AMR

By Brianna Wessling | June 22, 2022

proteus robot

Amazon’s autonomous mobile robot, called Proteus, was designed to work around people. | Source: Amazon

Amazon first entered the mobile robot space in 2012, when it acquired Kiva Systems for $775 million. Kiva offered automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that could navigate a warehouse using a series of computerized barcode stickers on the floor. 

Now, a decade later, Amazon has announced its first fully autonomous mobile robot (AMR), Proteus. Proteus is an AMR with a similar design to the Kiva robots that have been at work in Amazon’s warehouses for years. Proteus can slide under Amazon’s GoCarts, pick them up and move them across the warehouse to employees or other robotic cells, reducing the amount of walking Amazon workers need to retrieve items. 

Unlike the Kiva robots, which currently operate in caged off spaces away from Amazon employees, Proteus is able to work freely among them. 

Amazon plans to deploy the AMRs initially in the outbound GoCart handling areas in its fulfillment centers and sorting centers. A source told The Robot Report Amazon will use both the Proteus AMRs and the Kiva-like AGVs moving forward.

“To be honest, the structured fields (our legacy systems) are more efficient – and often cheaper – when you can use them. But the AMRs make sense in areas where you’re performing work you can’t reasonably, physically separate the people from – when there’s higher variability, more exception handling, etc. So AMRs are an additional tool in our toolbox to choose from when we want to add automation somewhere.” 

Advancements at Amazon

With the announcement, Amazon gave a look into some of the other technology it plans on deploying in its warehouses. The first of which is Cardinal, a robotic workcell that can pick packages from a pile, read the package’s label and then places it in a GoCart so the package can continue its journey. 

Cardinal helps reduce the amount of lifting and twisting Amazon employees need to do. Cardinal is currently at the prototype phase, where it’s able to handle packages up to 50 lb. The company hopes to deploy the robot in its fulfillment centers next year. 

The company also gave a look at its containerized storage system. Currently, employees in Amazon’s fulfillment centers pick and stow items onto mobile shelves manually. The robotic containerized storage system eliminates the need to employees to reach up, bend down or climb ladders to retrieve items. 

Instead, the system determines which pod has the container with the product needed to be picked and uses a robotic arm to grab and pull the container to an employee. After the employee retrieves the item, the robotic system returns the container to its spot. 

About The Author

Brianna Wessling

Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She joined WTWH Media in November 2021, after graduating from the University of Kansas with degrees in Journalism and English. She covers a wide range of robotics topics, but specializes in women in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and space robotics.

She can be reached at bwessling@wtwhmedia.com

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

farm-ng Amiga robot. It said its new software interface makes the Amiga modular robot even easier to use, with improved implement control and repeatable task automation.
farm-ng updates Amiga robot software for small, midsize farms
By integrating robotics, advanced motion control, and intelligent safety systems, this innovative solution delivered exceptional results for a time sensitive infrastructure project.
Welding project uses robotics to crunch 12 workhours into 45 minutes
The SCHURTER UHP Fuse.
SCHURTER releases UHP high-current SMD fuse for humanoids
Sojo Industries raises $40M to scale mobile manufacturing lines

RBR50 Innovation Awards

“rr
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Robotics Professionals.
The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Episode of The Robot Report Podcast

Automated Warehouse Research Reports

Sponsored Content

  • Sager Electronics and its partners, logos shown here, will exhibit at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo. Sager Electronics to exhibit at the Robotics Summit & Expo
  • The Shift in Robotics: How Visual Perception is Separating Winners from the Pack
  • An AutoStore automated storage and retrieval grid. Webinar to provide automated storage and retrieval adoption advice
  • Smaller, tougher devices for evolving demands
  • Modular motors and gearboxes make product development simple
The Robot Report
  • Automated Warehouse
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe