Amazon Reportedly Acquires Robotics Firm To Boost Delivery Operations And Cut Costs

• The startup, which was valued at $110 million in August 2024, saw participation from Amazon and Bezos Expeditions in the funding round.
• Rivr reportedly uses its own AI models, and uses its own data to train robots.
• Amazon reportedly told service providers tasked with last-mile delivery about the deal earlier this week.

Amazon.com (AMZN) has reportedly acquired Zurich-based autonomous robotics startup Rivr, in a bid to improve its logistics amid growing efforts to cut costs.

According to a report from The Information that cited a company spokesperson, the startup, which was valued at $110 million in August 2024, saw participation from Amazon and Bezos Expeditions in the funding round. HSG, formerly called Sequoia Capital China, had also participated.

“This acquisition reflects our commitment to a continued investment in research, which we believe has the potential to further improve safety outcomes and the overall delivery experience for delivery service partners and their delivery associates,” the Amazon spokesperson reportedly told The Information.

About Rivr

The startup manufactures robots with four legs and wheels that can navigate streets and stairs. Rivr reportedly uses its own AI models, and uses its own data to train robots.

Human drivers can reportedly take Rivr’s robots in a car or van, and delegate some of the deliveries to it, thereby allowing the drivers to increase deliveries per trip. Rivr’s delivery robots can also reportedly carry packages from the car to other separate locations nearby.

Amazon reportedly told service providers tasked with last-mile delivery about the deal earlier this week. As per The Information, Amazon said in a note to the firms that the acquisition would help it test how robotics would integrate into their operations.

Using robots for final delivery steps would build on automation efforts Amazon has already rolled out across its logistics network, part of a broader push in recent years to cut the cost of getting goods to customers. The company has deployed over a million robots to handle tasks such as moving, sorting, and packing items inside its warehouses.

How Did Stocktwits Users React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around AMZN shares was in the ‘extremely bearish’ territory at the time of writing, amid ‘low’ message volumes.

AMZN stock has climbed about 6.7% in the past year.

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