Amazon May Soon Replace Humans with Robots in Warehouses
Amazon recently surpassed a significant technological milestone. It deployed its one millionth robot across its global operations. This one-millionth unit was delivered to a centre in Japan, adding to a sprawling robotic fleet active in more than 300 facilities worldwide. The company claims to be one of the largest operator of mobile robotic systems, transforming the way work is done at leading complex logistics networks. Amazon states that its robotic systems range from item sorters to sensor-equipped humanoids. These are part of a broader strategy aimed at boosting efficiency, reducing workplace injuries, and reconfiguring how human labour interacts with automated processes. Its diverse range of robots now involved in 75% of global deliveries, according to the company. From heavy-load lifters to tactile-sensing machines and humanoid couriers, the scale of this robotic rollout is also fuelling debate on the future of jobs and the ethics of large-scale automation. One Million and Counting Amazon’s robotic journey began in earnest with its 2012 acquisition of Kiva Systems, which developed robots capable of autonomously moving shelves of goods. That core technology has since evolved into a multi-tiered system. Today, the company operates a diverse fleet of highly specialised machines, each designed to handle specific logistical tasks at scale. The company also recently unveiled seven new robots for faster and safer deliveries. At the heavy-duty end is Hercules (2017), a robot that moves inventory pods up to 1,250 pounds in restricted warehouse zones using 3D cameras to navigate busy areas safely. For open, human-shared spaces, Amazon introduced Proteus (2022), its first fully autonomous robot that moves package carts freely using sensors and onboard intelligence. Pegasus (2018) handles sorting, utilising a conveyor belt to route packages by ZIP code and dropping them off at loading docks, working in sync with robotic arms like Robin. Meet the Newer Machines The more recently announced, Vulcan made its debut as Amazon’s first robot with a sense of touch. Unveiled in May 2025, Vulcan features two robotic arms, one with a suction cup guided by an AI-powered camera, and another with spatula-like tooling. Each is fitted with six-axis force sensors, enabling the robot to accurately gauge the pressure to apply when handling items, thereby mimicking human dexterity. It currently operates in facilities in the US and Germany, having already processed over 500,000 orders. Beyond the warehouse floor, Amazon is also experimenting with humanoid robots. The company is building an indoor “humanoid park” in San Francisco to test bipedal robots such as Agility Robotics’ Digit and other units capable of climbing stairs and navigating household obstacles. These robots are being developed not only for warehouse work but for future integration into last-mile delivery, potentially placing parcels on doorsteps while human drivers focus on transit. DeepFleet and Warehouse AI To manage this robotic ecosystem, Amazon recently launched DeepFleet, a generative AI model built on AWS SageMaker. DeepFleet acts as a warehouse traffic control system, dynamically routing robots to avoid congestion, optimise task efficiency, and improve robot travel time by 10%. Operating across thousands of machines simultaneously, DeepFleet considers package urgency, battery life, and work zone activity in real-time. Amazon says this technology reduces idle time, speeds up fulfilment, and lowers operational costs, effectively turning its warehouses into living, learning logistics systems. The company has also established the Frontier AI and Robotics division, which is tasked with integrating generative AI into its logistics systems. The aim is to make decision-making more autonomous, reduce downtime, and anticipate disruptions before they occur. This includes identifying items prone to damage during transit and rerouting them to gentler pathways or packing methods. Humans in the Loop As of mid-2025, Amazon employs nearly 1.56 million people globally, including over 700,000 employees who have been upskilled. With robot numbers nearing human headcount, the company insists the goal is augmentation, not substitution. According to Amazon, over 700 new job categories have emerged as a direct result of automation, from robot maintenance technicians to AI system operators. At new-generation fulfilment centres like the 3-million-square-foot site in Shreveport, Louisiana, robots have increased the need for technical staff by 30%. However, not all trends point to growth. While specific high-skill roles are being created, the company is also using automation to handle increasing volumes without proportional increases in staff. President and CEO Andy Jassy has acknowledged that automation could lead to reductions in the traditional warehouse workforce over time. Not just big tech companies like Amazon, but even smaller startups like Figure AI have shared this sentiment. Brett Adcock, founder of Figure, recently expressed his thoughts in a podcast. He vouched for a massive deep tech acceleration beyond AI. He even mentioned how the entry of more intelligent and advanced robots and agents could give rise to considerable anxiety and potentially a loss of human purpose. The Game of Logistics The ability to operate fulfilment centres around the clock, across multiple time zones, gives Amazon an edge in responding to fluctuating consumer demand and unexpected disruptions, whether from supply chain bottlenecks, extreme weather, or geopolitical tensions. Automation also plays a role in workplace safety. By taking over repetitive and physically demanding tasks such as lifting heavy loads, sorting small parcels, and navigating complex shelving systems, robots like Hercules, Vulcan, and Proteus are reducing injury risks for human workers. This shift in the operational model is intensifying pressure on competitors. Major retailers, such as Walmart and Alibaba, are investing in their own automation systems to stay competitive. At the same time, smaller logistics firms often lack the capital to deploy similar technologies on a large scale. Amazon’s rapid automation rollout also poses questions for policymakers and labour advocates. With a robot workforce that could soon outnumber human employees in its warehouses, concerns around job displacement, working conditions, and AI oversight are growing. Traditional labour laws, designed for human-led workflows, are struggling to keep pace with this shift toward software-defined operations. The real challenge now lies in regulating an industry where machines are not just tools but decision-makers in their own right.
The company has just deployed its one millionth robot, alongside a global workforce of nearly 1.56 million people as of mid-2025.
The company has just deployed its one millionth robot, alongside a global workforce of nearly 1.56 million people as of mid-2025.
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An information designer who loves to learn about and try new developments in the field of tech and AI. She likes to spend her spare time reading and exploring absurdism in literature.