Amazon is starting a new research group to explore agentic AI and robotics, aiming to make its technology smarter and more helpful.
What the new group will do
On June 5, Amazon announced it would launch a brand-new team within its consumer product division. This group will focus on agentic AI – artificial intelligence that can act more independently and complete tasks with little human input.
The new team will be part of Amazon’s Lab126, a well-known research and development centre based in California. Lab126 has been responsible for many of Amazon’s most successful hardware products, including the Kindle e-reader, Fire TV, and the voice-controlled Echo devices powered by Alexa.
By basing the project at Lab126, Amazon is combining its hardware expertise with its growing interest in next-generation artificial intelligence. The company wants to use this new agentic AI to improve its existing tech and explore more advanced systems, especially in its robotics department.
Focus on robotics and automation
The team’s main goal is to build a powerful agentic AI framework supporting Amazon’s robotics work. Agentic AI could allow Amazon’s warehouse robots to do more than they can now. Instead of following pre-set instructions, these new systems could learn from their surroundings, make decisions on the go, and complete more complex tasks.
For example, robots in Amazon’s fulfilment centres could one day move around more easily, make their own choices about packing items or restocking shelves, and solve problems without human help. This would make Amazon’s warehouses run more efficiently and reduce the need for human workers to perform as many manual tasks as possible.
While Amazon has already used robotics for years, this new group could mark the next big step forward. By giving robots more autonomy, Amazon could speed up deliveries, reduce errors, and lower operating costs.
The bigger picture for Amazon
This move comes as many major tech companies race to invest in artificial intelligence. Businesses like Google, Microsoft, and Apple have all increased their efforts in AI development, particularly in tools that make devices smarter and more useful. Amazon does not want to fall behind.
Although Amazon did not share many details about the timeline or the design of the new AI systems, the company’s decision to set up this team shows how serious it is about staying at the cutting edge of technology.
As agentic AI continues to evolve, it could also have broader uses outside of Amazon’s warehouses. It could appear in future versions of Alexa or smart home products that respond better to user needs, which could change how you interact with your devices daily.
In the long term, this new research group could help shape the future of AI-powered machines and improve how people use Amazon services and products. For now, it’s a clear sign that Amazon is preparing for a more advanced and automated future.
