Amazon Advances AI Robotics with Covariant Partnership and Top Hires

Amazon is taking significant steps to advance the state-of-the-art in robotics by hiring renowned experts Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, and Rocky Duan, along with licensing Covariant’s robotic foundation models. This move is part of Amazon’s broader strategy to enhance the safety, intelligence, and scalability of its robotic systems, which play a crucial role in its global operations.

A Legacy of Robotics and AI Integration

With decades of experience in machine learning and robotics, Amazon has pioneered the use of AI to drive innovation in supply chain, logistics, and warehouse automation. The company’s extensive fleet of mobile robots, robotic arms, and automation systems, powered by AI and AWS infrastructure, assists employees in delivering billions of customer orders each year. Amazon systems like Robin, Proteus, and Sequoia exemplify how AI enables robots to understand and navigate the physical world safely and efficiently.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Safety

Amazon’s robotic fleet is integral to its operations, handling tasks such as moving inventory, sorting goods, and identifying customer orders. These robots take on the heavy lifting and repetitive tasks, making the workplace safer and more efficient for employees. Over the years, Amazon has focused on continuously improving how its robotic systems interact with inventory, using insights from fundamental research to develop AI models that enhance safety and adaptability at scale.

Strategic Partnership with Covariant

To further accelerate innovation, Amazon has entered into a commercial agreement with Covariant, a Bay Area-based company specializing in advanced AI models for robotics. Covariant’s technology enables robots to see, reason, and act on their environment, supporting various warehouse automation tasks. Amazon’s non-exclusive license to Covariant’s robotic foundation models will help generalize robotic learning and create dynamic opportunities to enhance automation and safety in operations.

Expansion of AI and Robotics Talent

As part of this initiative, Amazon plans to expand its AI and robotics team in the Bay Area by incorporating around a quarter of Covariant’s current employees, including research scientists and engineers. This team, led by Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, and Rocky Duan, will join Amazon’s Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics Team to integrate Covariant’s technology into Amazon’s operations and develop innovative AI solutions for the future.

Driving the Next Generation of Robotics

Joseph Quinlivan, Vice President of Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “With some of the smartest minds, we will advance fundamental research, marrying our rich expertise to unlock new ways for AI and robots to assist our operations employees. Imbedding Covariant’s AI technology into our existing robot fleet will make them more performant and create real world value for our customers.”

Looking Ahead

Amazon is eager to share more about these developments and invites other AI and robotics researchers and technologists to join in the innovation journey ahead. The company remains committed to driving forward the next generation of robotics and automation, ensuring that its operations continue to evolve and meet the demands of its customers.