Amazon deploys 1 million robots

I'm not going to lie, that's a pretty terrifying headline. Nevertheless, Amazon says it has indeed reached the major and somewhat jarring milestone of deploying more than one million robots across its operations.

The e-tailing giant says the 1 million-strong robotic fleet (a lot of which move crates of products around Amazon warehouses, and load Amazon vans) can now handle around 75% of its global deliveries.

It is now also introducing a new generative AI model, DeepFleet, which aims to improve the movement and coordination of Amazon robots by 10%.

Amazon robots support warehouse operations by sorting, lifting, and transporting packages. Amazon says the automation is meant to complement its workforce rather than replace it, and more than 700,000 Amazon employees have been upskilled to take on new roles.

Moreover, Amazon said that in fulfilment centres equipped with advanced robotics, it has seen an increase in staff for maintenance and engineering roles.

Newer Amazon robot models like 'Pegasus' and 'Hercules' are capable of handling heavier loads with greater precision, Amazon said, whilst its autonomous robot 'Proteus' can navigate shared spaces with human workers.

DeepFleet, Amazon's new AI model, leverages data from Amazon’s operations to optimise the robot travel routes as well as inventory placement.

Built using AWS tools, it is part of Amazon’s broader effort to reduce delivery times for Amazon customers and operational costs, whilst also enabling the e-tailing giant to better scale its global logistics.