At the recent "Future Delivery" launch event, Amazon announced its new robot-driven distribution warehouse plan, with the first "next-generation operations center" set to be completed in Shreveport, Louisiana. This 3 million square foot warehouse, equivalent to the size of 55 football fields and towering five stories high, is truly awe-inspiring.
The construction of this new facility is the culmination of Amazon's efforts in robotics technology over the years. Since acquiring Kiva in 2012, Amazon has been exploring how to integrate robots into its operational processes with minimal disruption. This time, they are adopting a novel "greenfield" approach, aiming to fundamentally reshape the warehouse and distribution work model.
Although Amazon has not disclosed the exact number of robots, it stated that the number of robots deployed in the new warehouse will be ten times that of a standard distribution center. Notably, Amazon already has nearly 1 million robot systems in the U.S., forming a vast automation network.
The new warehouse will introduce various advanced robotics technologies, including Kiva-style autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and the multi-level containerized inventory system named Sequoia. Sequoia can store over 30 million items, enhancing both storage and picking speed and safety.
Additionally, Amazon recently hired the founding team of Covariant, which will help integrate artificial intelligence more effectively into the entire system. In future operations, this Louisiana-based warehouse will serve as a significant testing ground for human-robot collaboration, although achieving smooth communication between robots has been a significant challenge.
Amazon emphasizes that these robots are not intended to completely replace humans. After full operation, the new warehouse will still employ 2,500 workers to ensure efficient human-robot collaboration.
Key Points:
- 🤖 Amazon will open a new robot-driven distribution warehouse in Louisiana, with an area equivalent to 55 football fields.
- 📦 The number of robots deployed in the new warehouse will be ten times that of a standard distribution center, and Amazon already has nearly 1 million robot systems in the U.S.
- 👥 The warehouse will still employ 2,500 workers to ensure efficient human-robot collaboration.
