
Followed by the overwhelming incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) across fields, the world seems to be closing in on a new automation revolution as Amazon is set to test a new generation of humanoid robots that it capable of delivering packages directly to customers' doorsteps.
The e-commerce giant is developing AI software to power these autonomous delivery bots, which will be transported in Rivian electric vans, according to The Information.
The report mentioned that a prototype testing facility, described as an indoor "humanoid park" which is roughly the size of a coffee shop, has been established at Amazon’s San Francisco offices. It features an obstacle course and a Rivian van for training, where robots learn to "hitch a ride" and make deliveries.
The robotic initiative is part of Amazon's broader strides to develop more intelligent and flexible robotic systems, a leap beyond automation currently used in warehouses.
The company recently launched a new “agentic AI” team aimed at creating robots that can interpret and respond to natural language commands.
Amazon is already deploying humanoid robots through a partnership with Agility Robotics’ “Digit,” a bipedal machine designed for logistics tasks. The San Francisco site will further assess various robots, including a $16,000 model from Chinese firm Unitree.
Although the retail tycoon has not confirmed a launch date for the delivery bots, its research aims to create systems that "understand, hear, and act" like humans.