Yes this has been building up for years, although their PR states that it won't affect the flesh-and-bone employee numbers: http://www.geekwire.com/2014/amazon-will-10000-robots-wareho...

They've been actively trying to do this for at least a couple years now. Amazon acquired robotic warehouse company Kiva systems in March 2012, and I believe that team only works on automating Amazon warehouses now. I believe there was a feature on it on 60 Minutes or Chronicle.