Amazon opens its most automated facility

Amazon.com Inc. opened its most advanced robotic fulfillment center last fall in Shreveport, La. This next-generation facility spans five floors and more than 3 million sq. ft., making it one of the e-commerce company’s largest sites and the most automated warehouse in its history.

Amazon for the first time deployed robotics and AI into every key production area, transforming how its employees work. At the center is Sequoia, a multi-level inventory system that holds over 30 million items at this facility. Amazon said this is five times larger than its first deployment.

In coordination with thousands of mobile robots and robotic arms like Sparrow, Cardinal, and Robin, the system streamlines storage, sorting, and packing with impressive speed and precision.

Sparrow, Amazon’s most advanced robotic arm, now handles over 200 million unique products using AI and computer vision. Proteus, Amazon’s first fully autonomous mobile robot, safely navigates among employees to move packages to outbound docks.

Amazon said these innovations have reduced fulfillment processing times by up to 25% at the Louisiana facility, increased shipping accuracy, and expanded same-day and next-day delivery availability. With robotics handling more tasks, employees can focus on tasks higher-skilled roles. Amazon said this warehouse will employ 2,500 people once it’s fully ramped up.

Unlike past systems designed for new buildings, this new generation of robotics is built for integration across Amazon’s existing facilities, enabling network-wide modernization. Amazon’s Shreveport site is just the beginning of a new era of robotics and AI setting the pace for faster, safer, and more efficient fulfillment than ever before.

Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2025.