Overview

Amazon announced two breakthrough tools for its fulfillment network: the Blue Jay multi‑arm robot and the Project Eluna artificial‑intelligence assistant. Both technologies were created inside virtual “digital twins” of warehouses, allowing Amazon to move from concept to pilot in roughly a year. The changes promise faster pick‑and‑pack cycles, fewer mistakes, and a smoother flow of inventory for sellers who rely on Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

Key Points

• Blue Jay multi‑arm robot — Consolidates picking, stowing and order consolidation into a single workstation that previously required three separate machines.
• Three‑quarter item coverage — In early U.S. trials the robot successfully handled about 75 % of the SKU varieties stored in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
• Project Eluna AI assistant — Continuously scans facility‑wide data, compares it with historical trends, and pushes real‑time recommendations to managers without the need for multiple dashboards.
• Development time cut to 12 months — By leveraging digital‑twin simulations, Amazon reduced the typical three‑year robotics development cycle to a single year.
• Worker ergonomics improved — Blue Jay’s design keeps human operators within a safe reach envelope, lowering repetitive‑motion strain during long shifts.

How Blue Jay and Project Eluna Work

1. Digital‑Twin Modeling — Engineers first build a virtual replica of a fulfillment floor, complete with physics‑based simulations of shelves, conveyors and existing robots. For example, a test run can place a virtual Blue Jay beside a real Kiva robot to compare speed without moving any hardware.
2. Iterative Virtual Testing — Multiple configurations of arm placement, grip strength and software logic are evaluated inside the twin. In one scenario, the team tried a three‑arm layout versus a two‑arm layout; the simulation showed a 22 % reduction in cycle time for the three‑arm version, prompting its selection for the prototype.
3. Real‑World Pilot Deployment — After the virtual phase, a limited number of physical Blue Jay units are installed in a U.S. fulfillment center. During the pilot, the robot processes orders for items such as small electronics, books and household goods, confirming the 75 % coverage claim.