IT'S so easy to order something online and have it delivered to your doorstep the very next day, but what you might not know is just how much goes on behind the scenes.
In the North East, the online retailer Amazon is fast becoming one of the region's big names with two sites already opened – and a further one on the way later this year.
Employing more than 2,000 people across Durham and Darlington, the sites rely heavily on their manual workforce, but they do have a helping hand.
Read more: First look inside Amazon's newest warehouse at Bowburn in Durham
In a UK first, The Northern Echo spent the morning with Amazon's robotics team at its Durham site and went to see the vital role they play in the major operation.
The Echo previously toured the site when it opened, but this week's visit marked the first time a journalist has been allowed into the more 'secret' and critical area of a UK Amazon site.
Joshua Yorke, apprentice and engineering safety co-ordinator at Amazon Durham, explained why they have robots on the site.
He said: "Beyond the gates, and into the field, we have these pods which hold all of our items, and the robots that you can see are called 'drives.'
"They basically go around and pick up the pods, bringing the products to the stations ready to be picked by an associate."
The site at the Integra 61 Industrial Estate, which opened in October last year, delivers parcels across the North East, the rest of the UK and Europe.
Inside, it has some of the retailer's most advanced technology including the automated stock area, made up of 50,000 such 'pods' that hold hundreds of thousands of items.
Located in the centre of the three upper floors, a total of 2,000 robot 'drive' units between them are situated in what's known as a 'field' on each level, containing the pods.
The four-sided pods, paired with the drive units, have effectively replaced a need for those packing boxes to manually sort through an enormous stock file.
We were told that the pods can hold anything from hair brushes to iPads on their shelves, and are transported automatically to the packing station within seconds.
This all takes place behind secure fencing to prevent visitors and non-authorised employees from accidentally straying onto their path.
But occasionally, items can come off the shelves, or get trapped underneath, which is why a team of around 100 people have been specially trained to work with the robots.
Tom Cogan, amnesty responder at Amazon Durham, explained that his shift involves monitoring for problems and going into the field to resolve them.
He said: "Our main job is to keep the Amazon Robotics floor clean and free from obstruction."
The drives use carefully placed 2D barcodes on a concrete floor that has to be absolutely level - there aren't any physical tracks required.
The drives then follow each barcode to get to their expected location, while they can travel at some speed.
But how do those working with the robot drives do their job safely and without risk of being struck?
Along with the drive units it has developed, Amazon has created its very own "Robotic Safety Vest," which employees must wear when going into the field.
It allows them to access the field without the whole stock area being taken offline, which could otherwise disrupt the entire operation.
Containing sensors which send signals to drive units on the floor and using Artificial Intelligence, the complex and high-tech vests tell the robots if an employee is nearby.
Jay Smith, amnesty responder and fulfilment associate, explained that the drive units in the immediate area around you then slow down, and stop if too close.
He said: "Any drive that is around the vicinity is stopped by the vest, at around 20 metres away it will begin to slow down and about eight metres away it will stop."
"There's now nothing around us that's moving, you can see the drives completely stop - we have a Kindle which tells you the person that is in the area."
Employees can also use their tablet device to create path by which opens up a clear "highway" for workers to access a particular pod more efficiently.
The created path then tells nearby drive units near to remain still, and if an employee goes beyond the path then the vest relays to nearby units to again stop within eight metres.
Jay said: "The path allows all the drives to recognise that space you want to go in - there are times when you need the path to unlock a pathway, drives will see that and stop."
Although we had less than 30 minutes to get to grips with the rules, subsequently not being allowed to touch anything, it takes a fortnight to fully-train employees on this.
Amazon said that employees are then given ongoing refresher training on working with its robots, meanwhile it employs in-house engineers to service the robotics.
The first look into the robotics at Amazon comes as it earlier this year unveiled its plan to bring in even more technology across its sites in coming years.
The retailer, which maintains it is humans 'plus' robots, not humans vs robots, revealed its lab had developed a raft of equipment to help its existing workers.
Robotic tools such as automated pallet movers – a large robotic arm that eliminates the need to use forklifts to carry pallets.
Meanwhile, tote retrievers – a machine that lifts totes and places them onto conveyor belts automatically, are among those that have been created.
But for Lorna Sharples, site leader, the use of automation alongside workers has allowed the company to "expand" in size, and in the North East.
She said: "It's part of our way of working now and we've brought in robots and technology to do the less skilled roles and tasks that allows our employees to focus on the more skilled areas of work.
"This allows us to be more efficient, more productive and we're offering a better service to customers, which then drives more businesses and allows us to expand – like in the North-East."
When asked why the region has become a target for Amazon following the opening of what will soon be its third warehouse here in just over two years, Ms Sharples said: "It's a number of things – the greater the coverage we have across the UK, the better ability we have to meet their expectations in terms of speed and range of products.
"In the North East, it's being able to offer and create jobs for the local area where we have that skilled workforce and have people that can come and join the team here."
Joshua Yorke, apprentice and engineering safety co-ordinator, added: "Amazon is an incredibly safe place to work thanks to the technology that is utilised.
"New ways of working incorporating advanced technology have been introduced in all areas and none more so than safety.
"I am excited to see what new technology will be developed to continue to keep all employees safe at work whilst enabling us to deliver for our customers.”
But the online retailer has not been without criticism as a number of protests as part of a campaign from Unite the Union have been held this year.
Read more: Amazon respond after Unite the Union holds demonstration in Gateshead
Amazon, on a national level, was earlier this year accused of preventing workers from joining a union after concerns globally were raised.
At the time, it strongly refuted any suggestion it did not offer its workers "excellent" pay, benefits and opportunities, while saying it offers staff a "safe and modern" work place.
It also refuted any suggestion it did not allow its staff members working in the UK to join or form a union.
Amazon is expected to open its third Fulfilment Centre site at the Follingsby Max development in Gateshead in September, this year.
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