How humans and robots work side-by-side in Amazon fulfilment centres

Workers box up orders to be shipped at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in West Deptford, N.J., on Friday, June 14, 2019. The robotic fulfillment center opened in September and is Amazon's fourth such site in New Jersey. (Tim Tai/Philadelphia Inqruier/TNS)

Amazon employees start their shifts passing through turnstiles and a sign reminding them what they can’t bring with them as they report for work alongside robots. 

Cellphones, belts, keys, and loose change must be stored away in one of hundreds of lockers by the break area at the West Deptford fulfilment centre. Inside, 7.75in-tall robots that can carry up to 1,250 pounds and have no resemblance to the humanoid robots of science fiction help them do their jobs.