Amazon has announced the deployment of Maximo, an AI-powered robot developed by AES, to assist in the construction of solar farms backed by the company. This includes its first utility-scale application at the Oak Ridge Solar Farm in Louisiana. The robot is intended to improve both efficiency and safety during the building process.

According to a news release by Amazon, Maximo aims to cut solar installation timelines and costs by up to 50%, while reducing physical demands on construction crews. It is currently being used at the Bellefield solar-plus-storage project in Kern County, California.

The robot employs artificial intelligence features such as computer vision and real-time construction intelligence for precise panel placement. The design process utilized AWS tools, including AWS RoboMaker, a cloud-based simulation service that facilitates simulations for robotics development.

"AI is a critical tool that is already helping us develop sustainability solutions and address climate change at scale," said Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer. "As society’s energy needs grow, the demand for new solar and wind projects is also increasing, and we’re excited to collaborate with renewable energy developers like AES that are bringing new renewables to the grid, and prioritizing innovative technologies that can help accelerate those efforts."

Amazon has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 through The Climate Pledge. This initiative focuses on sustainability across operations, reducing waste, responsibly sourcing resources, and fostering community partnerships while upholding human rights and labor standards.

The company offers a variety of services including online shopping, delivery of fresh produce, media distribution, devices like Alexa and Fire TV, and cloud solutions through Amazon Web Services (AWS). Its operations also encompass logistics and customer service while delivering entertainment via platforms such as Amazon Originals, Prime Video, and Audible.