Amazon now has more than 1 million robots working in its warehouses, putting its machine workforce on pace to match its human one. The company employs about 1.56 million people globally, most of them in warehouse roles.
According to The Wall Street Journal, around 75% of Amazon’s deliveries now involve some form of robotic help — from robotic arms moving packages to wheeled units shuttling inventory.Â
As automation expands, warehouse staffing levels are shrinking: the average number of employees per site dropped to 670 last year, the lowest figure in over a decade.
Amazon says robots aren’t replacing workers but are meant to make their jobs less physically demanding. A spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that the company has trained over 700,000 employees for new roles tied to robotics and higher pay.
But some labor advocates remain skeptical. Sheheryar Kaoosji, director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, warned that Amazon’s long-term aim appears to be reducing its warehouse workforce, especially at its busiest locations.Â
While Amazon positions automation as a tool to support workers, its investment in robotics continues to outpace headcount growth.
