Amazon (AMZN, Financial) just pulled back the curtain on Vulcan, its new touch-sensitive robot that promises to grab about 75% of the items in its warehouses—no ladders or back-breaking bending required.

Unveiled at the “Delivering the Future” event in Germany, Vulcan uses AI-driven sensors to decide if it can pick something up and exactly how to do it, then teams up with human workers to sort, shelve and prep orders for delivery.

This isn't a one-off novelty: Amazon plans to deploy Vulcan worldwide over the next few years, part of a whopping $25 billion push into automation and efficiency. Later this year, you'll even see machine-learning software that designs custom-fit boxes on the fly, cutting down on packing waste. Shares ticked up this morning—investors clearly like the idea that these robots could shave a considerable amount of fulfillment costs, which adds up to hundreds of millions saved each year.

Why does this matter? Well, Amazon's not just chasing productivity—it's gearing up to defend its turf against lean, low-cost rivals like Temu and Shein. By blending tactile robots with AI-powered packaging and new services like its U.K. Haul delivery trial, Amazon is doubling down on speed and cost cuts to stay ahead.

Keep an eye on Amazon's Q2 earnings in late July. If Vulcan and the rest of this automation play deliver on their promise, we'll see it in faster delivery times and healthier margins.

As of May 7, 2025, Amazon is trading near its GF Value of $168.43, indicating it is currently fairly valued, according to GuruFocus. The stock recently pulled back sharply from a mid-2025 high, moving closer to its intrinsic value estimate. The GF Value chart projects a steady upward trend, suggesting long-term appreciation potential if fundamentals hold. However, its recent volatility highlights ongoing investor caution despite valuation alignment.