In a bold step toward automation, Amazon is reportedly advancing plans to implement humanoid robots for package delivery. According to a report from The Information, the tech giant is developing artificial intelligence software that will allow these robots to work alongside Rivian electric delivery vans, with real-world testing set to begin soon at a new facility.
Anonymous sources involved in the project disclosed to The Information that an indoor “humanoid park” is nearing completion at one of Amazon’s offices in San Francisco. This training area, comparable in size to a coffee shop, contains an obstacle course designed for robots, with plans for these humanoids to hitch rides in the back of Rivian vans and disembark to deliver parcels.
The initiative is complemented by Amazon’s establishment of a new AI team focused on developing technologies to enhance operations within its distribution and logistics centers. In a statement provided to Silicon Valley, the company emphasized that it is shifting away from employing rigid, specialized robots. Instead, it is working on creating systems capable of understanding and acting on natural language commands, essentially transforming warehouse robots into versatile assistants.
Currently, Amazon utilizes various autonomous robots across its warehouse network, including a pilot program featuring Agility Robotics’ humanoid, known as “Digit.” Initially designed for tasks such as riding in vehicles and delivering packages, Digit’s role may expand as Amazon seeks to bring its vision of automated delivery to fruition. The facility will reportedly assess a range of humanoid robots, including a model from the Chinese company Unitree priced at $16,000.
With hundreds of thousands of individuals involved in Amazon’s delivery operations worldwide, this move toward automation suggests a broader ambition to fully integrate robotics into last-mile delivery. Additionally, Amazon’s acquisition of the robotaxi company Zoox in 2020 further underscores its goal of transitioning to a completely automated logistics model, encompassing the entire journey from warehouse to consumer.
