Amazon reportedly funding team to design and build humanoid robots for various use cases

Amazon is reportedly building a team of eight individuals, which includes its own employees and members of Covariant, to design and build humanoid robots. The team will increase in size over the coming weeks.

That’s according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, who, in a LinkedIn post, states his belief that the US online retail giant entering this market will lower the valuation of Figure and other robot manufacturers.

Citing unnamed sources, Ladd flags up use cases for the robots that include loading and unloading trailers, moving pallets, fulfilling orders, and other tasks that occur inside Amazon's warehouses. The company is also creating use cases for leveraging the robots inside of homes, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other uses. Incorporating Alexa into the robots will be tested.

He adds: “The plan is to use simulation to assess different designs. For example, one version of a planned humanoid robot will leverage wheels, while other designs will be bipedal and able to walk. Simulation will take place by early fall if not sooner. It’s possible that one or more design prototypes “can be ready later in the year,” according to a team member.”

He observes: “I'm glad Amazon is entering the humanoid robot business. Unlike other companies in the market, it should be able to build robots that legitimately can work in warehouses and in manufacturing plants. Its robots for use in homes, hospitals and other businesses, should also be much more practical than the humanoid robots that have been created.”

There is too much nonsense surrounding this space, Ladd argues in his LinkedIn post.

“Videos of robots pouring lemonade and putting away groceries may look cool, but the robots themselves are virtually useless. Everything you see in the videos has been carefully orchestrated to create the perception that it will only be a matter of a few months or only a year before robots begin to appear everywhere. No they won’t. The hype outweighs the reality. Humanoid robots have a long way to go before they’re truly useful.”

“The videos are no different than the video of the Nikola Corporation truck that appears to be running on hydrogen when in fact, the truck wasn’t running at all - the truck was pushed down a hill and is coasting in the video. When it comes to humanoid robots, what you see isn’t reality, it’s a production, it’s a marketing ploy. Remember that.”

RTIH has reached out to Amazon for comment and will update this article when we receive a response.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Automation will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

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