Exploring the Amazon Kiva and its context as a technology in the consumer industry.
What is Automation?What is Kiva?Automation in ContextOur Research
Automation in context refers to the application of automatic technologies to machines and tools. In other words, machines that function independently with little to no human contact. This may be achieved with a human independent power source and control system, which in the modern day is typically electricity and computer-driven. Automated technology has been predominately been used in the consumer manufacturing industry, and has a rich history dating all the way back to the 19th century.
Kiva robots are automated robotic systems designed to function in a warehouse setting by Kiva Systems. In 2012, Kiva Systems was bought by Amazon for $775 million, and has since been rebranded as Amazon Robotics. Today, Kiva robots play a pivotal role in the efficiency of Amazon as a retailer.
Kiva robots in an Amazon warehouse.
A Kiva robot carrying a pod.
A Kiva robot receives that order to locate a certain item. Items in the warehouse are organized on tall shelves called pods. Once the item(s) are found in the correct pod, the robot then carries it by positioning itself under the pod, and uses a corkscrew-like apparatus to attach itself securely. The robot then navigates its way through the warehouse to a queue where a human worker will package the item by hand.
History and Socio-Economic impact
Overall most concerns about automation are in regards to employment and job market in the manufacturing industry.
Sharp increase in patents and machine development gave birth to factory based production. Factory-based production opened up a wide job market for unskilled labor, which allowed for a shift of a predominantly agricultural society to an industrial one.
Technology developed in the First Industrial Revolution were further optimized. New infrastructure allowed better communication and transportation of goods
The rise of automated machinery left a permanent impact on industrial careers, with large concerns about employment presently and in the future.
Our cumulative findings over the course of our research, consolidated in a final paper.
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