Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, is looking forward to creating more than 500 full-time jobs in Peel Region.

The giant retailer recently opened Canada’s first-ever Amazon high-tech robotic distribution centre in Brampton. The facility is expected to generate more than 500 positions for job seekers in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga.

Located at 8050 Heritage Rd., the new 850,000-square-foot centre is Amazon Canada’s first fulfillment warehouse equipped with high-tech Amazon robotics that make the company’s online delivery system much faster than the conventional shipment process.

“This is the only one-of-its-kind facility in Canada, where we are planning to hire more than 500 full-time employees,” said Amazon Canada’s Ashley Robinson. Robinson said the building is only partly opened due to construction, but will be fully operational sometime this fall season. Presently, Amazon Canada has four distribution centres in the GTA – two in Brampton, including the new facility, and one each in Mississauga and Milton.

In a robotic distribution centre, square-shaped Amazon robotics move around on the floor, stow and pick up moveable shelves containing random inventory.

As soon as an online ordered is placed, a robot brings that particular shelf to the workstation of an associate for faster delivery service. Once the item is shipped, the robot again takes the shelf back to the floor.

“These robots enable us to fulfill customers orders much faster. Typically, a customer order can take hours, but a robot does it in minutes. It also enables us to have 50 per cent more inventory selection in the building,” said Robinson.

She said robotic facilities have more space because it doesn't have aisles or a conventional type of warehouse setting so associates can walk from space to space.

Robinson said Amazon has been running several robotic fulfillment centres in the U.S. and have seen that it creates job opportunities.

“Our robotic buildings tend to be the largest when it comes to associate workforce,” said Robinson, adding robots help increase inventory and get more customers’ orders. “Because of robotics, we are able to increase our hiring capabilities,”.