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Amazon Acquires Rivr to Advance AI-Powered Last-Mile Delivery
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Amazon has acquired Rivr, a Zurich-based robotics startup known for its stair-climbing delivery robots, signaling a continued push into AI-driven logistics and last-mile automation.
Rivr develops autonomous robots designed to navigate real-world environments, including stairs and uneven urban terrain, enabling deliveries to be completed directly at the customer’s doorstep.
The startup had previously attracted investment from Amazon’s Industrial Innovation Fund as well as Jeff Bezos-backed Bezos Expeditions, indicating an existing strategic alignment prior to the acquisition.
By bringing Rivr in-house, Amazon is accelerating its efforts to improve the final stage of delivery, where efficiency and cost remain key challenges. The integration of robotics at this stage reflects a broader shift toward automation in logistics, where AI systems are increasingly being deployed to handle real-world physical tasks.
The move also highlights Amazon’s growing focus on what is often referred to as “physical AI”—the application of intelligence in robotics systems that operate outside digital environments and interact directly with the physical world.
Source and Credits: TechCrunch