Amazon Opens Robotics Facility

Amazon Canada has opened YOW3, an advanced robotics facility in Barrhaven, ON. The only facility of its kind in Canada, and one of only five globally, it offers an opportunity for employees to work alongside some of the company's most cutting-edge technology. Spanning more than 2.6 million square feet across four floors, it will store up to 20 million items at a time. Operating among these items are Amazon's ROBIN, RWC4, and Kermit robots, each designed to improve employee experience by enhancing safety and productivity. Robin is a robotic arm that can segment, grasp, manipulate, identify, and place a package onto a sort bot. RWC4 is a robotic arm that sorts totes, the logistical units of an Amazon facility centre, by destination and builds pallets. Kemit is a trolley that focuses on towing empty totes throughout the facility and can adjust its speed and route as needed. Other technologies in the facility include semi-automated pack stations, more than 12 kilometers of conveyor belts, and semi-automated stow stations.