After more than a decade of deploying robots across its warehouses, Amazon has reached a significant milestone: there are now one million robots working in its global fulfilment network. The announcement was made on Monday, with the one millionth robot delivered to a facility in Japan. This figure is more than symbolic; it reflects how deeply integrated automation has become in Amazon’s operations. Amazon is fast approaching a point where the number of robots may equal the number of human workers across its warehouses.
Amazon also revealed that around 75% of its global deliveries now benefit from some level of robotic assistance. To enhance this efficiency, the company has introduced a new generative AI model called DeepFleet. Designed to coordinate warehouse robot movements, DeepFleet is expected to improve routing efficiency by 10%. The model was developed using Amazon SageMaker, the company’s cloud-based AI development platform, and trained on proprietary warehouse and logistics data.
This new milestone underscores Amazon’s continued investment in robotics since acquiring Kiva Systems in 2012. Over the years, the company has introduced increasingly sophisticated robots to handle complex warehouse tasks. Its latest model, Vulcan, was introduced in May and features two robotic arms, one with a camera and suction cup for picking items and another designed to move inventory. Amazon says Vulcan’s ability to “feel” the objects it handles allows for more delicate and accurate operations.
The company’s vision for the future of its warehouse operations became clearer in October 2024, when it launched a new generation of fulfilment centres. These facilities are designed to use ten times more robots than previous warehouses while continuing to employ human workers. The first of these new centres opened in Shreveport, Louisiana, and serves as a prototype for how Amazon sees its logistics network evolving.
Amazon’s journey toward a more automated warehouse system shows no signs of slowing down. With a million robots already deployed and a next-generation AI model driving further improvements, the company is setting a new standard for logistics and fulfilment at scale one where machines and humans increasingly work side by side.
