“You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing,” said Scott Dresser, Vice President of Amazon Robotics, describing the company’s new warehouse robot.
Amazon has unveiled a new generation of its warehouse robot that can understand conversational instructions from workers, as the company pushes ahead with a massive €10 billion ($11.6 billion) investment across its European operations.
The robot, known as Proteus, was introduced during Amazon’s “Delivering the Future” event at the company’s fulfillment center in Dartford, near London. The launch is part of a broader effort to expand automation, speed up deliveries, and strengthen Amazon’s logistics network across Europe.
Unlike earlier versions, the new Proteus robot can respond to simple language commands instead of requiring specialized software instructions. Workers can tell the machine what task needs to be completed, and the robot determines how to carry it out, including selecting the best route, timing, and priority.
“You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing,” Scott Dresser, Vice President of Amazon Robotics, said during the presentation.
The development marks a significant step in Amazon’s growing use of robotics and artificial intelligence throughout its warehouse network.
Current versions of Proteus are already operating at dozens of locations in the United States, where they move large carts weighing up to nearly 400 kilograms. However, those robots are largely restricted to dock areas. The upgraded version will be able to move throughout warehouse floors and work in more parts of Amazon’s fulfillment operations.
Amazon said the new system is currently being tested and is expected to begin deployment across Europe during the first half of 2027.
The company also introduced two additional robotic systems as part of its European expansion plans.
One of them, called STARK, is a robotic tote-handling system that was first tested in Barcelona. Amazon plans to roll it out to 15 European facilities by 2027. The company also showcased Vulcan, a robot equipped with what Amazon describes as a sense of touch, allowing it to handle items with greater precision.
The announcements come as Amazon increases spending on automation and infrastructure to support growing demand for faster deliveries and AI-powered services.
Amazon said the €10 billion investment will be used to expand and modernize fulfillment centers across Europe. The company expects the initiative to create thousands of jobs while improving operational efficiency throughout its logistics network.
The investment is part of a much larger spending plan announced earlier this year. In February, Amazon forecast a more than 50% increase in capital spending, with total expenditures expected to reach around $200 billion in 2026 as the company builds more AI and cloud infrastructure. Beyond warehouse operations, Amazon is also expanding its delivery network.
The company announced plans to launch more than 25 new sub-same-day delivery sites across Europe this year, including locations in Britain and Germany. Amazon Now, its rapid delivery service, is also being expanded to additional cities as consumer demand for faster shipping continues to grow.
Fresh grocery delivery is another area receiving attention. Amazon said same-day grocery delivery is now available in more than 2,300 cities across the United States and parts of Tokyo, with further expansion planned in Britain, Japan, and other markets.
The company’s next-generation AI assistant, Alexa+, is also expected to launch in ten additional countries during 2027 as Amazon broadens its artificial intelligence offerings.
The increasing use of robots in warehouses has generated debate about the future of work. Labour groups and some analysts have expressed concerns that automation could eventually reduce the need for human workers. Amazon, however, maintains that its robotic systems are designed to assist employees rather than replace them. The company says robots handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks, allowing workers to focus on roles that require judgment, oversight, and problem-solving.
Amazon has made similar arguments in previous years as it expanded the use of robotics across its global operations. Company executives have repeatedly stated that automation helps improve workplace safety and productivity while creating new technical roles related to robot maintenance and system management.
Whether those assurances will satisfy critics remains to be seen.
What is clear is that Amazon is moving aggressively to combine artificial intelligence, robotics, and logistics on a much larger scale. The new Proteus robot is the latest sign of that strategy.
As online shopping continues to grow and customers expect faster deliveries, companies are under pressure to process orders more efficiently than ever before. Amazon believes intelligent robots will play a major role in meeting that challenge.
With billions of dollars now being invested across Europe, the company is betting that the future of warehousing will involve humans and robots working side by side — and that the next generation of machines will be smart enough to understand instructions almost as easily as a human colleague.
