Amazon to invest €10bn in robotics across European fulfilment network

Amazon will invest over €10 billion (£8.65bn) in robotics and automation across its European fulfilment centers to boost efficiency and support growth. The announcement came during the *Delivering the Future* event at its LCY3 distribution center in Dartford, UK. Key technologies include STARK, a collaborative robotic tote-handling system developed in Barcelona, which will expand to 15 European sites starting in the first half of 2027. The next-generation Proteus robot, currently in pilot labs, will also deploy in Europe next year, featuring AI-driven natural language understanding and autonomous movement. Amazon’s Proteus robots, already operational at 25 US fulfillment hubs, transport heavy carts weighing up to 400kg. The company also plans to introduce Vulcan, its first robot with touch capabilities, across Europe in 2027. Tye Brady, chief technologist at Amazon Robotics, stated the systems will enhance material movement in both inbound and outbound operations. Alongside the investment, Amazon committed to adding 25,000 new roles in European fulfillment centers over the coming years. The company emphasized that robotics and AI create new job categories, requiring technical skills. Amazon’s Career Choice program, with a $1 billion global investment, has already trained over 300,000 employees, including 3,000 in the UK, to prepare for evolving workplace demands. John Boumphrey, country manager for Amazon UK & Ireland, noted the company’s proactive approach to workforce development due to skill shortages. Amazon UK will also quadruple its supported internship program, offering over 1,000 placements across 40 sites to boost youth employment. The robotics advancements align with Amazon’s broader strategy to integrate automation while expanding human roles. The company highlighted how technology improves operational efficiency while creating opportunities for employee growth.