SUNNYVALE — An Amazon artificial intelligence technology crafted in the South Bay could more readily enable same-day deliveries.

The e-commerce titan said it has launched a new Agentic AI team at the company’s Lab126 research and development hub in Sunnyvale, which includes Amazon’s office tower at 1100 Enterprise Way.

Agentic AI systems make decisions and take actions with minimal human supervision.

The new technologies could provide wide-ranging capabilities to robots operating in Amazon distribution and logistics hubs.

“The development of our Agentic AI framework represents a fundamental shift in robotics,” Amazon stated in an information packet the tech company sent to this news organization.

Amazon added, “Instead of rigid, specialized robots, we’re creating systems that can hear, understand, and act on natural language commands, turning warehouse robots into flexible, multi-talented assistants.”

Those are the improvements that Amazon aims to roll out within its distribution and logistics warehouses.

Other endeavors are underway that could dramatically improve Amazon’s capabilities to more efficiently navigate the “last mile” leading to a customer’s location.

“We are sharing a milestone that will shape the journey of every Amazon package,” Amazon stated in the information the company sent to this news organization.

Amazon said it is using a new artificial intelligence system to power its supply chain optimization technology, or SCOT.

The AI system can process more than 400 million items over 270 different time periods. This approach is revamping how Amazon positions its inventory and prices items.

“SCOT is turning AI science into same-day deliveries by predicting what customers want before they click buy, reducing delivery times by almost a full day while simultaneously lowering our carbon footprint,” Amazon stated.

Amazon’s new supply chain model aims to look forward in a predictive way as much as it depends on the analysis of the outcomes and actions of the past.

“The model consistently improves the customer experience, allowing us to predict what hundreds of millions of customers will want, where they’ll want it, and when, delivering what matters the most to customers without delay or waste,” Amazon stated.

The new delivery effort has gone live across the United States, Amazon said.

“Items that previously took two days to deliver may now arrive the same day,” Amazon said. “The technology recognizes local demand patterns, ensuring customers get what matters to them without delay.”

Amazon said it’s also analyzing many building images and photos to improve delivery efforts by drivers.

“This innovation is making it much easier for Amazon drivers to find the right delivery spot, especially in tricky places like big office complexes or university campuses,” Amazon stated.

The technologies help an Amazon driver determine the best place to park.

“Customers get their packages faster and with fewer mix-ups, while drivers spend less time determining the best path to drop off the package at the place,” Amazon said.

Originally Published: June 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM PDT

HELIOS Partners with NHL Rising Star Matthew Knies to Revolutionize Youth Sports Training

HELIOS, a leader in sports technology innovation, proudly announces a groundbreaking partnership with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. This collaboration aims to redefine youth sports training, starting with ice hockey player development, by delivering performance data, personalized insights, and automated shift video to players and coaches.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250604253145/en/

As the youth sports industry evolves, with projections estimating a market size of $70 billion by 2030, the demand for individualized training solutions has never been higher. HELIOS stands at the forefront of this transformation, offering cutting-edge technologies that empower young athletes to reach their full potential.

Matthew Knies, known for his relentless work ethic and explosive approach to the game, embodies the synergy between athletic excellence and sports science. His partnership with HELIOS underscores a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of athletes through innovative training methodologies.

“When I was younger there wasn’t any way to track what I was doing. I always dreamed of having something like this,” Knies said. “Now, HELIOS has completely changed the landscape for developing youth hockey players. I’m excited to work with HELIOS and drive the game forward.”

HELIOS’ platform leverages cutting edge AI-wearable technology to provide objective insights on skating performance, enabling athletes and coaches to optimize training and development . This approach not only enhances performance but also prioritizes injury prevention and individualized athlete development.

“Matthew’s development pathway aligns perfectly with our mission,” stated Bill Near, CEO of HELIOS. “Together, we’re setting a new standard for how young athletes train and grow in their respective sports.”

About HELIOS

HELIOS is the leading wearable technology and data platform for ice hockey, providing coaches, players, and parents with unmatched insight into on-ice performance. Trusted across programs at all levels, from elite youth to professional, HELIOS is redefining how development is measured and achieved.

About Matthew Knies

Matthew Knies is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and one of the NHL’s most promising young players. A standout in the USHL and at the University of Minnesota, he earned All-American honors and helped Team USA win gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Off the ice, Knies is dedicated to helping young athletes train smarter and reach their potential.

Media:

HELIOS

Michael Lombardi, Marketing Director

609-923-3223

michael@heliossports.ai

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250604253145/en/

The Bay Area has lost more than 11,000 tech jobs so far in 2025, a slump in hiring punctuated by disclosures of fresh layoffs in the region by some big players such as Google, Walmart and Microsoft.

The protracted hiring slump is a reminder that the tech industry is no longer a robust engine that helps to power the Bay Area economy.

The tech sector, instead, has begun to weigh down hiring in the Bay Area job market.

In the most recent rounds of layoffs, Walmart, Google and Microsoft have disclosed their intentions to eliminate a combined 168 jobs, according to WARN letters the companies sent to the state Employment Development Department.

Here are some of the details of newly filed WARN notices that point to upcoming job cuts for some tech companies in the Bay Area:

— Walmart, 108 job cuts affecting tech workers at a San Bruno site where the retailing titan crafts e-commerce and online services. The layoffs are scheduled for Aug. 22.

— Google, 53 layoffs in Sunnyvale. The search giant scheduled the downsizing for July 6.

— Microsoft, eight staffing reductions in Mountain View and Sunnyvale. The software titan’s cutbacks are slated to occur Aug. 1.

— Cruise, one job cut in San Francisco. The former autonomous vehicle company said the job cut occurred May 30.

All of the job cuts were described as permanent by the various companies.

The weakness in the Bay Area tech industry so far in 2025 is widespread, according to seasonally adjusted estimates that Beacon Economics derived from the monthly reports released by the state EDD.

Of the 11,200 net loss in tech jobs for the Bay Area, the worst losses occurred in the San Francisco-San Mateo region.

The nosedive in tech employment has materialized in the San Francisco metro area despite some optimistic assessments that the fledgling artificial intelligence industry was providing a jobs lift to San Francisco.

Here is how tech job trends looked in the Bay Area’s three largest urban centers over the first four months of 2025, according to this news organization’s compilation of the Beacon Economics industry estimates:

— San Francisco-San Mateo suffered a net loss of 5,400 tech jobs.

— The South Bay lost 3,400 tech jobs.

— The East Bay shed a net total of 2,100 tech jobs.

In the North Bay, Sonoma County lost 200 tech jobs, and Marin County lost 100 tech positions. Tech job totals were unchanged in Solano County and Napa County over the first four months of this year.

The NHL and Sony will work together to evolve the NHL experience for fans, as well as NHL coaches, officials, players and broadcasters, by increasing Sony’s Beyond Sports’ production of NHL animated data visualizations, broadening usage of Sony’s Hawk-Eye measuring and tracking technologies and investing in various Sony products and technologies that will bring NHL fans closer to the game than ever before. 

“Partnering with Sony, a best-in-class industry leader, will help further the goals of our technology efforts to engage passionate NHL fans around the globe,” said David Lehanski, NHL Executive Vice President, Business Development & Innovation. “Advancing the development and implementation of technology on and off the ice is a key priority for the League, and this partnership will highlight the impact of Sony’s groundbreaking work in several of our key initiatives, such as NHL EDGE Puck & Player Tracking and animated programming, to bring fans closer to our great game and showcase the NHL as a worldwide technology leader.”

“Our partnership with the NHL is more than a collaboration — it’s a shared commitment to innovation, creativity, and cutting-edge technology,” commented Sander J. Schouten, Managing Director, Beyond Sports, a Sony Group company. “We’ve pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in sport tech, delivering exciting, data-driven innovations that are not only redefining how sport is consumed but together, with Sony’s sports businesses, are establishing new benchmarks for the entire industry.”

“From imaging and broadcast to some of the world’s most advanced data visualization and tracking innovations, Sony remains committed to helping create the future of sports through technology,” says Theresa Alesso, President, Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “This partnership builds upon a successful history of collaborations between the NHL and Sony, and we are excited to reinforce our commitment to the game, fans, and players.”

The NHL has used Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology since 2015 with Synchronized Multi-Angle Replay Technology (SMART) services installed in all 32 NHL arenas to help provide the speed and accuracy the NHL requires for its replay reviews and coaches’ challenges; with later enhancements supporting team medical, and player health and safety reviews. Data collected via optical tracking cameras is also integral to the creation of live NHL animated data visualizations, post-production content and replay technology, and will be featured in future experiences in development involving mobile apps and XR. Sony’s Hawk-Eye will continue to expand technology innovation and support the creation and delivery of more immersive NHL content.

The NHL and Sony’s Beyond Sports first collaborated in 2018 on multiple projects to explore opportunities built on NHL EDGE (Puck & Player Tracking) positional data. Sony’s Beyond Sports’ animated data visualization expertise has played a key role for the NHL in transforming its data into a powerful fan engagement driver, delivering new IP-driven content — from the NHL Big City Greens Classic, a Sports Emmy-nominated animated broadcast presentation and Tommy Hawk’s Birthday Party, the first-ever regional animated real-time sports animated broadcast presentation, to more serialized animated programming, such as NHL HOCKEYVERSE Matchup of the Week. Sony’s Beyond Sports’ work also led to immersive digital activations, such as NHL Blast on Roblox, which drew over one million unique users in its first month in April 2023. These initiatives have expanded the League’s reach among younger audiences and set new standards for sports data integration.

Sony cameras and production equipment have been a prominent fixture in the NHL through broadcast and sports photography and are regularly trusted by NHL Clubs and broadcast partners to capture the most defining moments of the game. NHL Clubs rely on Sony technology to process and deliver the best camera angles in real-time to millions of NHL fans.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © 2025 NHL.  All Rights Reserved.

About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Corporation, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit https://www.sony.com/news for more information.

Sony’s Beyond Sports is an AI based company specializing in data processing, distribution and visualization that offers a new way of experiencing sports to engage the next generation of fans. Our Emmy Award winning visualization platform enables real-time digital and virtual sports engagement solutions for leagues, broadcasters, brands and, ultimately, consumers.

Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations has been at the forefront of sports officiating and broadcast enhancement technology since 2001. Hawk-Eye’s vision-processing, video replay and creative graphic technologies are trusted by the world’s biggest sporting events to make sport more fair, safer, more engaging and better informed. 

About the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers – league, team and player accounts combined – across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 260 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, WBD Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.; Prime Video, Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; and via SiriusXM NHL Network Radio™, Sports USA and TuneIn; and reaches fans worldwide with games available to stream in every country.

Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio™; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Productions develops compelling original programming featuring unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital platforms.

The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s social impact platform, NHL Unites, reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. Through the NHL’s investments in communities across North America, the League is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey. Last season, a record number of girls and boys stepped onto the ice and tried hockey for the first time. The NHL’s premiere ball hockey program, NHL STREET, continues its expansion into NHL and non-NHL markets, offering fun and affordable hockey for youth. And in arenas Leaguewide, more than 350 cultural celebrations nights are held, celebrating fans of all backgrounds. The League’s efforts continue to foster more inclusive environments and grow the game through a greater diversity of participants.

SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc.

The way people engage in play, whether through games, sports, or casual activities, has shifted dramatically over the past few decades. Technology’s growing influence has transformed traditional forms of play into dynamic, interactive experiences. From the rise of digital gaming platforms to wearable devices enhancing physical sports, technology has integrated itself deeply into leisure and entertainment.

One of the most noticeable changes comes from the expansion of video games and online gaming communities. Where playing once meant gathering around a physical board game or meeting friends at a local sports field, players now connect virtually from across the globe. The accessibility of smartphones and powerful consoles means that games are available anytime, anywhere, breaking down previous barriers like location and time. Social media integration and multiplayer features allow players to build communities, compete, or collaborate in real time.

The development of mobile gaming has further accelerated this transformation. People now carry entire gaming libraries in their pockets, and these games continue to push boundaries with high-quality graphics, complex narratives, and engaging gameplay. One popular example within this sphere is the rise of platforms like mega888, which combines accessibility with immersive gaming experiences. These platforms cater to a wide audience and offer opportunities for both casual players and those seeking competitive challenges.

Impact of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have introduced new dimensions to play, offering immersive experiences that were unimaginable before. VR transports users into fully simulated worlds, allowing them to interact with digital environments in a three-dimensional space. This technology has been embraced by both gamers and fitness enthusiasts, merging exercise and entertainment in novel ways.

Augmented Reality overlays digital information on the real world, enhancing physical play and everyday environments. Games like Pokémon GO became global phenomena by encouraging players to explore their surroundings while engaging with digital creatures. AR is also being used in educational play, blending learning with interactive elements to maintain engagement and improve retention.

Both VR and AR are expanding the definition of play, enabling new social experiences and physical activities that blend reality with virtual elements. This crossover has encouraged innovation in game design and created opportunities for fitness, education, and creative expression.

Wearable Technology and Smart Devices

Wearables and smart devices have become key players in how people interact with games and physical activities. Fitness trackers, smartwatches, and heart rate monitors allow users to track their physical performance during sports or workouts. These devices provide real-time feedback, motivating users to improve and compete against themselves or others.

In gaming, wearable technology has been integrated into controllers and accessories, adding physical movement and sensory feedback. Devices that track motion, like VR controllers or dance mats, make play more active and immersive. This encourages players to move beyond the sedentary stereotype of gaming and enjoy more physical engagement.

Smart devices also connect with apps that personalize gaming and workout experiences. Whether it’s adjusting difficulty levels, tracking progress, or connecting with a community, technology creates a more tailored approach to play. This personalization helps maintain long-term interest and fosters a sense of achievement.

The Role of Streaming and E-Sports

The growth of streaming platforms has dramatically altered how people watch and participate in play. Services like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have turned game streaming into a spectator sport, where players broadcast their gameplay to millions of viewers. This has opened new career paths for professional gamers and content creators, creating a vibrant ecosystem around interactive entertainment.

E-sports, or competitive gaming, have gained legitimacy as a global phenomenon. Tournaments with massive prize pools attract millions of fans, and the level of skill and strategy involved rivals traditional sports. This professionalization has increased interest in gaming as both a pastime and a career.

Streaming platforms also encourage social interaction by enabling real-time communication between players and their audiences. This connectivity fosters a sense of community, enhancing the social aspect of gaming and play.

Impact on Traditional Sports and Recreation

Technology’s influence isn’t limited to digital gaming; it has also reshaped traditional sports and outdoor recreation. Innovations such as advanced analytics, wearable sensors, and video replay have improved training methods and fairness in competition.

Athletes use data collected from technology to fine-tune their techniques and strategies. Coaches analyze performance metrics to identify strengths and weaknesses. Fans benefit from enhanced viewing experiences through instant replays, multiple camera angles, and real-time statistics.

Even casual players enjoy technology-enhanced sports through apps that organize games, track scores, or provide tutorials. Virtual coaching and fitness programs allow individuals to practice skills and stay active without needing direct access to clubs or gyms.

The Social Impact of Technological Play

As technology changes how people play, it also influences social dynamics. Online multiplayer games and virtual worlds allow players to connect regardless of geographic or cultural boundaries. These spaces create new friendships and communities built around shared interests and teamwork.

However, the shift toward digital play can sometimes lead to concerns about reduced physical interaction and potential overuse. Balancing screen time with real-world activity remains a challenge for many, especially younger players.

Parents, educators, and community leaders are finding ways to harness technology positively by encouraging healthy gaming habits and blending digital play with outdoor activities and face-to-face socialization.

The Future of Play with Technology

Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence, cloud gaming, and 5G connectivity promises to deepen technology’s role in play. AI-driven game design will provide more adaptive and personalized experiences. Cloud gaming allows instant access to games without powerful hardware, broadening the reach.

Faster internet speeds will improve multiplayer experiences and enable new forms of interactive entertainment that blend physical and digital worlds seamlessly. As these technologies develop, they will continue to reshape how people experience play, blending creativity, competition, and social interaction in new ways.