Amazon is one of those companies that has been betting on artificial intelligence and automation within its warehouses for some time. Sometimes, not without controversy involved. However, the feeling is that one of its latest bets has not turned out quite as Jeff Bezos’ company expected. Specifically, when it comes to his «revolutionary» robot Blue Jay.
Presented with great fanfare just a few months ago, the robot in question was one of Amazon’s big bets to renew its logistics and adapt it to the current times. Now, however, The machine has been definitively removed. What has really happened so that in such a short time the failure has been completely consummated?
Blue Jay, Amazon’s great failed promise
Last October, Blue Jay was presented as an advanced robotic system designed to work in rapid delivery centers, especially in facilities dedicated to same-day shipping, one of Amazon’s great attractions. It was not about moving packages, but in theory the model was capable of streamlining more or less complex operations.
That’s what Amazon excitedly announced at the time. The robot apparently incorporated multiple arms and artificial vision systems capable of identifying, picking up and sorting items of different sizes and shapes. Thus, Amazon sought to increase the speed of processing orders, reduce errors and, surely, take off salaries.
Of course, Amazon said nothing of the latter, and even insisted several times denying the evidence and ensuring that AI and the automation of its facilities would not eliminate traditional human jobs. Simply, they said, it was a way to make everything safer (avoid accidents and unforeseen problems) and speed up delivery times.
The reality, however, has been different. As reported by Futurism, Blue Jay has been removed from service. Yes indeed, Unlike his announcement, when it came to removing him from his tasks, Amazon has been much more discreet and has barely given any information about it. Of course, you haven’t specified why it hasn’t worked as expected. But many experts are already talking about setbacks.
AI is not always what it seems
What Amazon has said is that Blue Jay’s technology will be used for other things in the future, without going into too much detail either. Which has not prevented some specialists from insisting on an argument that is constantly repeated among those who know about robotics: These inventions are far from being really useful in more or less unpredictable environments.
Perhaps Amazon has discovered this for itself thanks to Blue Jay. But even then, it’s unlikely that big companies will be more cautious when it comes to AI. Above all, because of the enormous amounts of money that, one after another, are investing in it.