The head of Amazon Robotics, Tye Brady, says people can't be replaced and he doesn't think warehouses will be fully run by robots. He believes people are needed because they can solve problems better. Digit, the robot, walks on two legs and is still being tested to make sure it's safe and can work well with people.
Amazon has been using more robots to save money. They already use robots on wheels to move things in warehouses and drones to deliver packages in some parts of the US. Amazon says their robots have made many new jobs, including some that didn't exist before. But, some people say robots are taking away jobs and Amazon is hurting its workers by using more robots.
Original news source: Amazon trials humanoid robots to 'free up' staff (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Each pair should read the article together and then work together to write a short summary of the main points. After a few minutes, have pairs share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the following question on the board: "Do you think robots will eventually replace human workers in warehouses?" Have the class vote by raising their hands for either "yes" or "no." After the vote, have students pair up and discuss their reasons for their choice. Finally, have a few pairs share their opinions with the class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g. robots, warehouses, jobs, machines). Divide the class into teams and give each team a whiteboard or piece of paper. Call out a word from the list and have each team race to draw a picture representing that word. The first team to finish and hold up their drawing gets a point. Continue until all the words have been used, and then tally up the points to declare a winning team.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a piece of paper and have them draw a line down the middle to create two columns. On one side, have them list the pros (advantages) of using robots in warehouses. On the other side, have them list the cons (disadvantages). After a few minutes, have each group share their lists with the class.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the class to imagine what warehouses will look like in the future. Will they be fully run by robots? Will human workers still be needed? Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss their predictions and write them down. After a few minutes, have a few pairs or groups share their predictions with the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The robots in Amazon warehouses are called Digit.
The robots named Digit can move and pick up things like a person.
Amazon says they are using robots in their warehouses to help workers focus on customers.
A group in the UK says that Amazon treats its workers like robots and many have lost their jobs because of machines.
No, the head of Amazon Robotics doesn't think warehouses will be fully run by robots.
The head of Amazon Robotics believes people are needed in warehouses because they can solve problems better.
Amazon also uses robots on wheels to move things in warehouses and drones to deliver packages in some parts of the US.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Amazon is trying out robots that look like humans in their US warehouses. These robots, named , can move and pick up things like a person. Amazon they are using robots to help workers focus on customers. But, a in the UK says Amazon treats its like robots and have lost their jobs because of machines. The head of Amazon Robotics, Tye Brady, says can't be replaced and he doesn't think warehouses will be fully run by robots. He believes people are needed because they can solve problems better. Digit, the robot, walks on two legs and is still being tested to sure it's safe and can work well with people. Amazon has been more robots to money. They already use robots on wheels to move things in warehouses and drones to deliver packages in some parts of the US. Amazon says their robots have many new , including some that didn't before. But, some people say robots are taking away jobs and Amazon is hurting its workers by using more robots.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What are robots?
2. How would you feel if robots were doing your job?
3. Do you think robots can solve problems as well as people? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the idea of robots working alongside people?
5. Do you like the idea of robots delivering packages? Why or why not?
6. How do you think robots can help workers focus on customers?
7. What are some advantages of using robots in warehouses?
8. Do you think robots are taking away jobs? Why or why not?
9. How do you think workers feel about working with robots?
10. Would you like to work with robots? Why or why not?
11. How do you think robots can make new jobs?
12. What do you think Amazon should do to make sure workers are not hurt by robots?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!
