Amazon is using its Innovation Lab in Vercelli, northern Italy, to develop and test new technologies aimed at enhancing support for employees and customer satisfaction. Established in 2017, this lab is home to a team of scientists and engineers from all over the world, serving as the hub for the global Mechatronics & Sustainable Packaging team. By the end of 2024, this team will have been responsible for the installation of more than 1,000 new robotics systems and AI (artificial intelligence)-powered innovations throughout Amazon’s European fulfillment center network, representing an investment – over five years to the end of 2024 – of more than €700 million, the company said in a statement.
These cutting-edge technologies include item sorters, pallet movers, and automated guide vehicles to actively support the company’s employees in their roles across Amazon’s sites. Robotics and technology allow the enhancement of the operations network. The introduction of new technologies over the last ten years has enhanced 50,000 new jobs within Amazon’s operations in Europe. Artificial intelligence helps scale these advancements for a global operation serving millions of customers worldwide, explained the company.
The Innovation Lab in Vercelli also serves as a training center for Amazon Robotics operators and a testing site for start-ups that receive funding and guidance through the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund. Furthermore, starting in 2024, the lab will be open for public tours, allowing schools and customers in general to discover how Amazon develops innovations.
