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Robots Begin Takeover of Retail Warehouses

Enslave no one, but do increase efficiency

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2009 1:48 PM CST

(Newser) – The age of robots is upon us. Or at least, you might think so if you walked into one of the dozen retail warehouses currently manned by Kiva System’s robotic workers. The bots, which look a bit like a giant orange toaster, zip autonomously around the warehouse, completing orders and rearranging merchandise without any human interference, making the warehouses, by Kiva’s estimates, two to four times more efficient.

Left alone, the bots can work without light or heat. With humans, they provide random access to every item in stock. “The basic technology will be the de facto way to run a warehouse,” says the bots’ programmer. “We’ll start to see these same techniques become the de facto techniques in manufacturing.” So far the Gap, Zappos, and Staples have all joined the revolution.

A line of Kiva bots are seen charging in this YouTube screen capture.
A line of Kiva bots are seen charging in this YouTube screen capture.
A robot cruises down the aisle of a Staples warehouse in this YouTube screen grab.
A robot cruises down the aisle of a Staples warehouse in this YouTube screen grab.
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Supplied by Kivasystems.com, this video shows a Staples warehouse run by robots.   (wired)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Shannonals
Jan 30, 2009 1:09 AM CST
Hilarious
Guest
Jan 29, 2009 5:16 AM CST
Great. Time to stop breeding just to breed and start looking at how humans can more substantively advance.
riffran
Jan 29, 2009 4:45 AM CST
Well, look at this way....WE all have plenty of time to start preparing for jobs the bots can't do....Free market capitalism at it's best is when adverse conditions threaten it...no machine can ever overcome the innovative spirit of man....I don't think "we" have to worry about it in the near future......so ........does that mean B.O. like's robots?.....rofl....*WE ARE THE BORG LOWER YOUR SHEILDS........RESISTANCE IS FUTILE*......

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