Amazon has acquired Rivr, a Swiss robotics company specializing in four-legged delivery robots, as the e-commerce giant continues to invest heavily in automation technology. The acquisition, which was not publicly announced but communicated to Amazon's third-party delivery contractors, represents Amazon's ongoing commitment to robotics and artificial intelligence integration across its operations.
Rivr, based in Switzerland, develops delivery robots based on the ANYmal quadruped platform. The company first gained Amazon's investment in 2022 when it developed its initial delivery robot, Rivr One. More recently, Rivr introduced the larger Rivr Two model just weeks before the acquisition announcement.
we've recently acquired RIVR, a company focused on technology that can help with doorstep delivery
According to documents viewed by CNBC, Amazon informed its delivery partners that "we've recently acquired RIVR, a company focused on technology that can help with doorstep delivery." The company stated that this technology "has the potential to further improve safety outcomes and the overall customer experience, particularly in the last steps of the delivery process."
An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC that the deal reflects the company's commitment to continued investment in research and efforts to improve safety for delivery employees. The acquisition comes as Amazon has been restructuring its workforce, having laid off 16,000 white-collar workers in January and cutting 100 jobs in its robotics division in March.
has the potential to further improve safety outcomes and the overall customer experience, particularly in the last steps of the delivery process
While specific financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, the move signals Amazon's strategic focus on automating the final stages of package delivery, potentially using Rivr's technology to assist delivery associates in carrying packages from vehicles to customer doorsteps.