Retail technology innovation of the week: Big spending Amazon takes wraps off AI powered Vulcan robotic arm

Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a series brought to you by RTIH, and sponsored by 3D Cloud, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.

Every week, we will showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, alongside the publication of the 2025 report.

So far, we’ve flagged up sterling work being done by Ocado Retail, Decathlon, Lacoste, Downtown Spirits, TalkShopLive, Huck’s, Wing, Nobody’s Child, IKI, Pixevia, Archive, Therabody, Outform, Kingfisher, Boots UK, Ocula Technologies, Ikea, Carrefour Belgium, Matalan, and McDonald’s.

And this week we’re focusing on Amazon which this week revealed new robotics, investments, and innovations aimed at improving the way it supports employees and delivers for customers around the world.

At its Delivering the Future event in Dortmund, Germany, the US online retail giant introduced Vulcan, a new AI powered robotic arm that’s its first to have a sense of touch. It says that the system can pick and stow items with greater precision, and helps make work safer and easier for employees at fulfillment centres.

Amazon also announced that it is investing more than €700 million in delivery station technology across Europe and introduced seven new innovations inside its Last Mile Innovation Centre in Dortmund. These new systems aim to make work safer and easier inside delivery stations.

Amazon plans to launch same-day delivery in 20 new locations across Europe, bringing the number of locations to 155 in the next 12 months. And it unveiled other innovations to its operations network designed to place products closer to customers and speed up deliveries.

Over the next three years, it is deploying hundreds of automated packaging machines that will create custom fit boxes and paper bags in real-time, perfectly sized for each item. And it will continue to reduce carbon across its transportation and delivery fleet, including new orders of electric trucks and delivery vans across the globe.

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com

Key 2025 dates

Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed

Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days

Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.