The robots are coming.

I keep saying that the more we swap out people for robots, the more dangerous the work environment gets.

I mean, seriously, am I the only one concerned that they’ve recently launched a range of ‘human replacement robots’ for the service industry?

Now Amazon isn’t exactly known for great working conditions, which might be why they’re getting more and more robot-friendly.

Recently, the work environment at the US Amazon facility in Robbinsville, New Jersey, got super hostile when one of their robots accidentally punctured a pressurised can of bear repellent, which led to the hospitalisation of 24 of its human colleagues, reports The Telegraph.

The automated machine accidentally punctured a 255g can containing concentrated capsican, an ingredient used in pepper spray, sending out painful fumes at the US Amazon facility in Robbinsville, New Jersey.

Local media reported 24 Amazon workers were hospitalised, including one reportedly in a critical condition. 30 others were treated at the scene, officials told ABC News.

The offending robot is a Kiva robot, large enough to carry the weight of a small car. They have a top speed of 4,7 km per hour, and take a five-minute break every hour to recharge their batteries.

The orange robots operate at 15 sites in the US, one in Poland and are fully operating in Doncaster with introduction planned in Dunstable centre this year.

Amazon fulfillment centres typically employ robots for automating some tasks. The warehouse was around 1.3 million square feet and was ventilated.

Amazon has a total of 575 700 human employees worldwide. They also employ 80 000 Kiva robots.

Union officials have criticised Amazon’s safety procedures, and are calling for Amazon to be held accountable for the robot’s failure.

The war between man and machine rages on.

[source:telegraph]