Overview

Amazon’s fulfillment network has expanded dramatically in early 2026, now operating more than 400 warehouses worldwide and deploying over 750,000 robots alongside sophisticated AI tools. The upgrade reshapes order‑to‑delivery timelines, inventory handling, and packaging expectations for sellers who rely on Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

Key Points

• Robotic fleet tops 750,000 units — The count rose from roughly 520,000 in 2024, enabling robots to sort, palletize, and transport items across every Amazon fulfillment center.
• AI‑driven picking accelerates speed by about 75% — Machine‑learning models rearrange high‑frequency SKUs closer together, cutting picker travel distance and shaving hours off order processing.
• In‑warehouse drones conduct inventory audits — Small aerial drones fly aisle‑by‑aisle scanning barcodes, replacing manual counts that previously required ladders and hours of labor.
• Network now exceeds 400 fulfillment sites — New facilities in Europe, Asia, and South America broaden same‑day and next‑day delivery footprints for millions of customers.
• Human workforce remains above 1 million — Despite automation, Amazon still employs a large staff to oversee robot maintenance, handle exceptions, and manage quality control.
• Packaging standards tighten for automation — Boxes that fit standard robot grippers, feature clear scannable labels, and avoid protruding parts move through the system up to 30% faster than irregularly packaged items.

How AI Is Reshaping Warehouse Operations

1. Predictive SKU clustering — AI analyzes purchase patterns and groups frequently bought‑together products on adjacent shelves; a seller of coffee makers and filters might see both items placed side by side, reducing picker travel time.
2. Dynamic route optimization — Real‑time algorithms calculate the most efficient path for robotic carriers, rerouting around temporary blockages; a robot delivering a batch of toys can bypass a congested zone, arriving at the packing station 20% quicker.