Investing.com -- Amazon announced Thursday a €10 billion ($11.6 billion) investment in its European fulfillment network, alongside the introduction of an upgraded AI-powered mobile robot for its warehouses.

The Seattle-based e-commerce company presented the next-generation Proteus robot at its "Delivering the Future" event at its Dartford fulfillment centre east of London. The new model can respond to conversational prompts and represents a change in how employees work with robots.

"You tell it what needs to be done. It figures out the priority, the route, the timing," said Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics.

The current Proteus model operates at 25 U.S. sites in dock areas only, moving carts weighing up to nearly 400 kg (882 lbs). The new version will operate across warehouse floors and is scheduled to arrive in Europe in the first half of 2027.

Amazon also presented STARK, a robotic tote-handling system first tested in Barcelona that will roll out to 15 European sites by 2027, and Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch.

The company said it will launch more than 25 sub-same-day delivery sites across Europe this year, including in Britain and Germany. Amazon Now, its ultra-fast essentials delivery service, will expand to Manchester and Birmingham in Britain.

Same-day delivery for fresh groceries is now available in more than 2,300 U.S. cities and parts of Tokyo, with further expansion planned in Japan, Britain and other countries in the coming months.

Amazon also said Alexa+, its next-generation AI assistant, will launch in 10 additional countries in 2027.

In February, Amazon forecast a more than 50% jump in capital expenditure to $200 billion this year.