Documents Delfanti, Alessandro 3 results

"The remote operation of robots in logistics is becoming increasingly prevalent, with robots being deployed across a variety of sectors and operated by workers from a distance. This allows manual labour to be conducted remotely. Despite eliminating the need for physical proximity between the robot and the operator, remote robotics still necessitates human interaction to control the machinery, a process we call re-embodiment. This working arrangement introduces constraints on the communities and territories of remote workers. Rather than deviating from traditional labour practices, remote robotics extends the reach of capital and perpetuates existing patterns of exploitation."

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"The remote operation of robots in logistics is becoming increasingly prevalent, with robots being deployed across a variety of sectors and operated by workers from a distance. This allows manual labour to be conducted remotely. Despite eliminating the need for physical proximity between the robot and the operator, remote robotics still necessitates human interaction to control the machinery, a process we call re-embodiment. This working arrangement introduces constraints on the communities and territories of remote workers. Rather than deviating from traditional labour practices, remote robotics extends the reach of capital and perpetuates existing patterns of exploitation."

"‘Work hard, have fun, make history' proclaims the slogan on the walls of Amazon's warehouses. This cheerful message hides a reality of digital surveillance, aggressive anti-union tactics and disciplinary layoffs. Reminiscent of the tumult of early industrial capitalism, the hundreds of thousands of workers who help Amazon fulfil consumers' desire are part of an experiment in changing the way we all work. In this book, Alessandro Delfanti takes readers inside Amazon's warehouses to show how technological advancements and managerial techniques subdue the workers rather than empower them, as seen in the sensors that track workers' every movement around the floor and algorithmic systems that re-route orders to circumvent worker sabotage. He looks at new technologies including robotic arms trained by humans and augmented reality goggles, showing that their aim is to standardise, measure and discipline human work rather than replace it. Despite its innovation, Amazon will always need living labour's flexibility and low cost. And as the warehouse is increasingly automated, worker discontent increases. Striking under the banner ‘we are not robots', employees have shown that they are acutely aware of such contradictions. The only question remains: how long will it be until Amazon's empire collapses?"