Amazon Robotics Timeline

Events

• 2026-06-04 - Product Launch - Amazon introduces next-generation Proteus and expands Vulcan and STARK in Europe - The new Proteus can receive conversational task prompts and determine task priority, route and timing while moving loads beyond its earlier dock-area scope. Vulcan and the STARK tote-handling system are part of a planned robotics expansion across European… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2026-02-25 - Market Signal - Amazon ends Blue Jay operations while retaining its underlying technology - Blue Jay had combined multiple robotic arms in one workstation to perform three package-processing tasks previously handled at separate stations. Amazon added the discontinuation notice on 25 February 2026 after introducing the system in October 2025. The… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2025-10-28 - Capability - Amazon Robotics adopts NVIDIA Cosmos or Isaac GR00T for robotics development - The 28 October 2025 NVIDIA announcement lists Amazon Robotics among companies using Cosmos or Isaac GR00T N models to generate synthetic data, teach robots new behaviours and deploy physical-AI agents. Cosmos provides world-foundation models and tools for… - source: blogs.nvidia.com
• 2025-06-30 - Production Milestone - Amazon deploys its one-millionth robot and introduces DeepFleet - The milestone robot was delivered to a fulfillment center in Japan, extending Amazon's robotics footprint to more than 300 facilities worldwide. DeepFleet uses a generative-AI foundation model to coordinate mobile-robot traffic and is expected to improve… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2025-05-07 - Product Launch - Amazon Robotics introduces Vulcan for tactile pick-and-stow work - A Spokane pilot used six Vulcan Stow systems, with another 30 planned for beta deployment before expansion to Germany. Vulcan Pick combines suction, a depth camera and force sensing; Vulcan Stow uses a force-sensing gripper, conveyor belts and an extensible… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2023-10-18 - Partnership - Agility Digit selected for Amazon tote-recycling tests - The initial application would collect and move empty totes after inventory had been picked out of them. The research site south of Seattle was evaluating mobile manipulators that combine movement with grasping; Amazon had previously invested in Agility… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2022-11-10 - Product Launch - Amazon introduces Sparrow for individual-item handling - Sparrow was Amazon’s first warehouse robotic system designed to detect, select and handle individual products in inventory. The system uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to recognize and handle millions of differently shaped items. Amazon… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2022-06-21 - Market Signal - Amazon reports more than 520,000 robotic drive units and introduces Proteus - Amazon had deployed more than 520,000 robotic drive units across its fulfillment and sort-center network. Proteus was introduced as Amazon's first fully autonomous mobile robot for movement through open operating areas. The milestone marked ten years since… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2022-06-21 - Product Launch - Amazon introduces the Cardinal package-handling workcell - Cardinal uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to select a package from a pile, lift it, read its label and place it into a GoCart. The prototype was being tested with packages weighing up to 50 pounds. Amazon said the workcell was intended to… - source: aboutamazon.com
• 2014-12-01 - Deployment - Amazon discloses more than 15,000 Kiva robots operating in fulfillment centers - The operating fleet spanned ten U.S. fulfillment centers during the holiday peak. Low-profile drive units moved beneath inventory pods, lifted them, and brought the pods to employees at picking and stowing stations. Amazon linked the system to… - source: ir.aboutamazon.com
• 2012-05-01 - Acquisition - Amazon completes its acquisition of Kiva Systems - Completion followed the signed acquisition agreement announced on 19 March 2012. The acquired Kiva operation became the foundation of Amazon Robotics. - source: sec.gov
• 2012-03-19 - Acquisition - Amazon agrees to acquire Kiva Systems for approximately $775 million - Amazon signed an agreement to acquire all outstanding Kiva Systems shares for approximately $775 million in cash. The transaction remained subject to closing conditions and was expected to close in the second quarter of 2012. Kiva Systems was to retain its… - source: press.aboutamazon.com