Amazon Develops Humanoid Robots for Package Delivery

Future Amazon orders may soon be delivered to your door by a humanoid robot workforce. Reports indicate that Amazon is developing AI software designed to enable robots to function as package delivery workers. These robots will be transported in Rivian electric vans and are expected to begin real-world testing at a new facility.

Citing an anonymous source involved in the effort, The Information reports that Amazon has nearly completed the construction of an indoor “humanoid park” at one of its San Francisco offices, which is approximately the size of a coffee shop. This obstacle course includes a Rivian van for training purposes. Amazon’s goal is to have humanoid robots hitch a ride in the back of these electric vans and spring out to deliver packages.

This development aligns with Amazon’s recent launch of a new agentic AI team aimed at creating technologies that will power robots operating within Amazon’s distribution and logistics hubs. In a statement, Amazon noted that “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.” a statement to Silicon Valley

Amazon is already utilizing a variety of autonomous robots in its warehouse operations. This includes a trial of Agility Robotics’ humanoid “Digit”—https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/operations/amazon-introduces-new-robotics-solutions, a robot originally designed for tasks such as sitting in the back of vans and delivering packages, among other logistics applications. The establishment of Amazon’s training facility represents a concerted effort to realize this original vision. The Information further reports that a variety of humanoid robots will be tested for package delivery at this facility, including a $16,000 unit from China-based Unitree.

Currently, hundreds of thousands of individuals are involved in delivery operations at Amazon globally. This suggests a strong desire to fully automate the end-to-end package delivery process, from the warehouse to the customer’s front door. Amazon acquired the robotaxi company Zoox in 2020