Amazon is preparing to launch trials of humanoid robots designed to assist with package delivery, marking a significant advancement in its automation strategy. The company is developing specialized artificial intelligence software to enable these robots to navigate complex delivery environments, with physical robot units sourced from third-party manufacturers, including a notable model from China-based Unitree Robotics.
To facilitate testing, Amazon has constructed an indoor obstacle course dubbed the “humanoid park” at one of its San Francisco offices. This facility simulates real-world delivery scenarios, including a Rivian electric delivery van stationed on-site to trial the robots’ ability to exit the vehicle and deliver packages directly to customers’ doorsteps. The park is roughly the size of a small café and is intended to rigorously evaluate the robots’ mobility and interaction with delivery vehicles.
Currently, Amazon operates over 20,000 Rivian electric vans for deliveries, with plans to expand this fleet to 100,000 by 2030. The integration of humanoid robots aims to complement this electric vehicle fleet by automating the last leg of deliveries, a task traditionally performed by human workers. This initiative aligns with Amazon’s broader push to incorporate AI and robotics across its logistics and supply chain operations, enhancing efficiency and reducing reliance on human labor.
Amazon has prior experience with autonomous and warehouse robots, but this new project represents a leap toward deploying humanoid robots outside controlled environments. The company is also developing foundational AI models to improve the robots’ perception, planning, and natural language understanding, enabling them to handle the unpredictable nature of doorstep deliveries.
While Amazon has not officially commented on the project, insiders highlight that the testing phase is imminent, with multiple robot models to be evaluated this summer. The ultimate goal is to create a versatile robotic workforce capable of operating alongside or in place of human delivery personnel, potentially transforming the future of e-commerce logistics.
This move comes amid growing concerns about automation’s impact on jobs and the environmental costs of AI technology, but Amazon remains committed to leveraging advanced robotics to accelerate delivery times and optimize its operations.
In summary, Amazon is on the cusp of pioneering humanoid robot delivery trials, combining AI-driven robotics with its expanding electric vehicle fleet to redefine package delivery from warehouse to doorstep.