Amazon is continuing its layoffs, cutting at least 100 jobs in its robotics division this week, as reported recently.
The teams affected mainly focus on designing robots and automated systems for the company’s warehouses, according to two sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.
Amazon acknowledged the layoffs in a statement, emphasizing a regular review of its organization to ensure teams are optimized for innovation and customer service, though it did not specify the number of cuts.
Interestingly, even with record sales across all divisions,
this latest move adds to a trend of significant job reductions the company has announced over the past year. In January, for instance, Amazon let go of around 16,000 positions and suggested that more layoffs could be on the horizon.
That same month, the company also ceased development of a robotic arm called Blue Jay, which had been showcased at an October event. This robot was intended to assist workers by grabbing multiple items at once in tight spaces.
Amazon has eliminated about 30,000 corporate positions, beginning with approximately 14,000 white-collar jobs in October. The rationale behind these cuts has revolved around efficiency improvements linked to artificial intelligence and broader shifts in corporate culture. This reduction amounts to nearly 10% of its white-collar workforce, while it’s essential to remember that most of Amazon’s roughly 1.5 million employees work in hourly roles, especially in fulfillment centers.
Besides the major layoffs in October and January, Amazon has also enacted smaller cuts throughout the past year in areas including devices and services, books, podcasts, and public relations.
