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Amazon pulls the plug on 'Blue Jay' warehouse robot after only a few months
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 20:10
Core Insights - Amazon has discontinued its Blue Jay warehouse robot just a few months after its launch, indicating challenges in developing effective and cost-efficient AI robotics technology [1][2][9] - The core technology of Blue Jay will be integrated into other initiatives within Amazon's warehouse network, as the company continues to explore various robotics projects [3][10] Robotics Development Challenges - The development of AI robotics technology faces significant hurdles in the physical realm, particularly in acquiring useful training data and managing real-world operational challenges [2] - Blue Jay was developed rapidly in just over a year, leveraging AI advancements, but ultimately faced issues related to high costs, manufacturing complexity, and implementation difficulties [8][9] Future Robotics Initiatives - Amazon is transitioning from the Blue Jay system to a new modular warehouse system called "Orbital," which is designed to be more flexible and easier to deploy compared to the previous "Local Vending Machine" system [12][13] - The Orbital system is expected to support smaller same-day delivery warehouses and potentially be used as a micro-fulfillment solution in Whole Foods stores, focusing on handling chilled products [14][13] - The rollout of the Orbital system is projected to take time, with the first warehouse not expected to open until 2027 [15]