- Internal documents aim to automate up to 75% of operations and avoid up to 600.000 hirings in the US by 2033.
- Estimated savings of $12.600 billion between 2025 and 2027, approximately $0,30 less per item managed.
- Pilot warehouses like Shreveport operate with 1.000 robots and 25% fewer staff, a model that will be replicated in dozens of centers.
- Amazon softens the language ("advanced technology," "cobot") and strengthens community actions; the company says the documents are incomplete.
The leak of several internal plans for robots at Amazon has shaken up the logistics sector. According to these documents cited by the American press, the e-commerce giant prepares a qualitative leap in the automation of your network, with a focus on reducing costs and sustaining growth without relying too heavily on new hires.
Beyond the noise, what is relevant is the change in scale: The company aims for robotic systems to take over a large part of the warehouse tasks and optimize handling, packaging and movement of goods in key distribution centers in the United States.
Goals and figures: what Amazon is pursuing
The documents attributed to the firm describe a horizon in which the company could prevent the hiring of up to 600.000 people in the US by 2033, while doubling the number of products sold in that period.
In the short term, the automation team estimates that by 2027 There will be no need to incorporate some 160.000 employees additional thanks to the deployment of robots and software, with an estimated saving in unit costs.
- Savings 2025-2027: about $12.600 billion.
- Cost per item: approximate reduction of USD 0,30 per unit handled.
- Project Scope: automate up to 75% of operations in the medium-long term.
Senior management has argued that these initiatives will allow the pace of growth to be maintained with less pressure on new hires, an idea that Andy Jassy himself has suggested when talking about the effects of AI In the organization.
What robotic warehouses will be like
In facilities such as Shreveport (Louisiana), the operation is already changing: there There are around 1.000 robots in operation and 25% fewer staff than in traditional centers., a model that the company plans to replicate in about 40 additional locations by 2027.
Amazon has been accelerating its robotics journey for over a decade since acquiring Kiva in 2012.. Your systems They are organized into six major functions specialized that cover almost the entire package handling cycle.
- Internal movement of shelves and containers.
- Handling of units and preparation of orders.
- Classification by destination and priority.
- Automatic storage and repositioning.
- Identification through vision and AI.
- Packaging and sealing of shipments.
Some pilot projects aim to minimize human intervention during critical shifts with high demand, using robots operating almost continuously to shorten setup and dispatch times.
Communication and reputation strategy
Aware of the social impact of these changes, The company plans to avoid terms like “automation” or “AI” in its public narrative. and use expressions like “advanced technology" or "cobots” (collaborative robot). Plans include strengthening its presence in community initiatives, from local parades to programs such as Toys for tots.
In parallel, the company maintains that the leaked papers They do not reflect your complete strategy and remember that you continue hiring for peak activity periods., with 250.000 temporary additions planned for the Christmas campaign.
Labor and economic impact
If consolidated, the plan would shift warehouse profiles towards technical supervision and maintenance roles, although in smaller numbers. Economist Daron Acemoglu warns that, If the model proves profitable, other large companies would follow the same path..
Automation also rearranges incentives: reduces exposure to labor conflict and can improve operational predictability, factors that markets usually value. Following the release, the stock market rose nearly 3% in the session.
The challenge for administrations and companies will be to accompany this transition with quality training and jobs, evaluating how the efficiency per unit It affects the labor fabric and household consumption.
What's next?
The roadmap combines robot deployment, process redesign, and more software at key centers. If the pilots maintain their results, The company plans to scale the model to dozens of warehouses and deepen the use of computer vision and digital twins.
It remains to be seen how the times and regulation of automated work evolve, but everything points to Robots will play a growing role in Amazon logistics and in much of the sector, with tangible benefits in costs and speed and an open debate on employment and equity.
The picture painted by the documents is one of profound change: Amazon wants to scale robotization to gain efficiency and margin, while managing his public image and fine-tuning the calendar; in the middle, thousands of jobs will be redefined and the competition will take note.
I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.
If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.