Amazon’s Secret Lab126 Builds AI-Powered Robots and Smart Maps

Amazon’s hush-hush R&D division, Lab126, is diving deeper into artificial intelligence with a new group focused on building AI agents for its robotics systems.

Known for creating devices like the Kindle and Echo, Lab126 is now exploring “agentic AI” — technology that allows machines to handle complex, multistep tasks on their own.

The goal? Smarter warehouse robots. Currently limited to single tasks, Amazon’s future bots could soon unload trailers, identify broken parts, and respond to natural language commands, effectively becoming multi-skilled helpers.

Yesh Dattatreya, senior manager at Amazon Robotics, said the tech could speed up deliveries, especially during busy seasons, while cutting waste and emissions.

The AI-powered bots are still in early development, with no launch date or design confirmed yet.

Separately, Amazon also revealed plans for advanced mapping tools aimed at delivery drivers.

The new maps offer detailed building layouts and obstacles, improving navigation in complex areas.

These may eventually be integrated into a high-tech glasses device Amazon is quietly developing. The glasses would display real-time maps and directions, allowing drivers to stay hands-free.

Viraj Chatterjee, Amazon’s VP of Maps and Geospatial, confirmed the device’s development and said early tests have been promising, especially in tricky residential zones.

Amazon is also reportedly working on AI software for humanoid robots that could one day replace delivery drivers.

According to The Information, the tech giant is testing the robots at a "humanoid park" in San Francisco, using an indoor obstacle course about the size of a coffee shop.

These robots are being trained to “spring out” of Amazon’s Rivian delivery vans and complete drop-offs. While Amazon is focused on building the software, it plans to use third-party hardware for the robots.

Last month, Amazon unveiled Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch, at the Delivering the Future event in Dortmund, Germany.

Designed to enhance worker safety, boost efficiency, and speed up order processing, Vulcan is now operating in fulfillment centers in Washington, USA, and Hamburg, Germany.

"Vulcan is not our first robot that can pick things up. With its sense of touch—its ability to understand when and how it makes contact with an object—Vulcan unlocks new ways to improve our operations, jobs, and facilities," Amazon said.