SynopsisAmazon unveiled its next-generation autonomous robot, Proteus, designed to automate heavy lifting tasks and respond to natural language commands. This advancement is part of a significant €10 billion investment to enhance European fulfillment operations and expand its 30-minute delivery service, Amazon Now, to more UK cities.ETtechAmazon's autonomous mobile robot Proteus 2Ecommerce giant Amazon unveiled the next generation of its autonomous mobile robot (AMR) Proteus and announced the expansion of Amazon Now to more cities in the UK at its Delivering the Future EMEA 2026 event in London on Thursday. EMEA stands for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.The deployment is part of its broader plan to invest over €10 billion ($11.6 billion) to expand and upgrade its fulfilment centre operations in Europe and roll out Amazon Now, its 30 minute delivery service for groceries and essentials that’s available in London, to Manchester and Birmingham.“Europe is at the centre of how we’re building our operations for the future," said Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics. "The investment we're making here, the talent we're building with here, the technology we are deploying here — this is where the next chapter of operations innovation is being written.”In 2025, Amazon invested over €60 billion ($69.7 billion) across Europe.The new system builds on the original Proteus model launched in 2024. It is designed to automate physically demanding tasks like moving heavy carts – weighing up to 400 kgs. The updated version allows staff to command the machine using natural, conversational language.Proteus is currently being tested in Amazon's laboratories, with a commercial rollout in Europe scheduled for the first half of 2027.This announcement follows a series of robotics deployments by the company, including the expansion of STARK, a collaborative tote-handling system, to 15 sites across Europe by 2027 and Vulcan, its first robotic system with a sense of touch.According to Amazon, its multi-billion-euro investment will also increase its European fulfilment centre workforce by 25,000 in the coming years, including roles focussed on engineering.(The correspondent is in London on Amazon's invitation.) ...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now