Amazon.com Inc. last week announced the grand opening of its newest robotics fulfillment center in Calgary, Alberta. The center, called YYC4, measures 2.8 million sq. ft. (around 260,128 sq m) and will employ more than 1,500 people.
With the launch of YYC4, the e-commerce company now operates five fulfillment centers, one sortation center, three delivery stations, and two AMXL delivery stations in Alberta.
“Amazon is thrilled to invest in Calgary while benefitting our employees, customers, and the community,” stated Sushant Jha, general manager at YYC4. “Through the ingenuity of our Amazon Robotics technology, we are creating new career paths and development opportunities. At the same time, we are delivering to customers at our fastest speeds ever with our safest, most sophisticated, and most advanced operations network.”
Amazon said the facility will offer in-demand skills training and career growth opportunities with cutting-edge technology that fulfills customer orders more quickly. At the fulfillment center, employees will work alongside automated systems and robots to pick, pack, and ship customer orders.
Amazon emphasizes employee safety, satisfaction
Amazon uses advanced robotics to ship 1.6 million packages every single day. Despite its size, it makes up 37.8% of the U.S. e-commerce market share. Amazon is still the fourth fastest-growing company in the U.S.
To keep up with the volume of packages it sends, and to continue growing, the company has been turning to robots for over a decade now. It claimed that its technology creates a safer, more efficient workplace, while also providing employees with hands-on training to develop new, in-demand career skills.
“I’ve learned a lot working with Amazon Robotics. The goal isn’t just to master new technology, but [also] to chart a whole new career path,” said Danielle Olliviere, a learning trainer at YYC4. “Seeing my colleagues embrace this innovation has been really inspiring for me as a learning trainer. We’re not just keeping up with the times; we’re shaping the future.”
Safety is a high priority, according to the company. Since 2019, Amazon has invested over $1 billion globally in safety initiatives. In 2024 alone, it allocated over $750 million to invest globally in technologies, resources, training, and programs to further safety efforts.
Canadian center to include robot arms, carts
At YYC4, Amazon will be using RWC4, a large robotic arm that sorts totes by destination and builds pallets for shipping.
It will also deploy its Kermit autonomously guided cart (AGC). This AGC is a trolly that focuses on towing empty totes throughout the facility and can adjust its speed and route as needed.
In addition, the company plans to use the CW 1000, which uses AI to cut cardboard boxes that fit the dimensions of various items. The system can build a custom box every 3.5 seconds.