The subject of robotics in production and distribution has been dominated by fear, hyperbole and misunderstanding. Critics of the technology would have us believe that robots are poised to take over the workplace, with little or no role for humans. So what are the real prospects for robotics in the supply chain? Robots already play a significant role in material handling. The modern-day world of e-commerce demands it. Amazon.com demonstrated its commitment to the technology back in 2012, when it paid $775m to acquire Kiva Systems. Renaming the unit Amazon Robotics, the company quickly began deploying robots within its ever-growing network of distribution centers. Amazon continues to invest in research and systems that will shave time off order fulfillment.
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