Robots outnumber people 15-to-1 at UPS’s massive new warehouse

The package-handling giant plans to fill the US$79mil (RM372.09mil) facility with more than 3,000 robots by next year to handle tasks like lifting and reduce the need for manual labour. — Reuters

United Parcel Service Inc just opened its largest warehouse, a sweeping 20-acre facility on the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky. But don’t expect the break room to get too crowded.

The package-handling giant plans to fill the US$79mil (RM372.09mil) facility with more than 3,000 robots by next year to handle tasks like lifting and reduce the need for manual labour. That level of automation means UPS can run the warehouse with only about 200 workers, which are expected to increase over time.