Amazon acquires Rivr startup to enhance doorstep delivery robots

Amazon has purchased Rivr, a Swiss firm specialising in robotics designed for "doorstep delivery," the corporation confirmed on Thursday. The purchase terms were not made public.

Amazon discreetly obtained the company earlier in the week, without a formal announcement. 

The acquisition was revealed through a notification sent to independent delivery contractors.

"We're excited to inform you about our recent acquisition of RIVR, which specializes in technology aiming to enhance doorstep delivery," Amazon mentioned in the notice reviewed by CNBC. 

"This technology could significantly enhance safety and customer satisfaction, especially in the final delivery stages, when paired with your delivery teams."

An Amazon representative shared with CNBC that the acquisition "demonstrates our dedication to ongoing research investments" and aims to increase safety for its delivery workforce.

The company depends on a vast network of independent contractors dedicated solely to delivering Amazon packages. 

They handle the critical "last mile" delivery stage, which involves transporting packages from the warehouse to the customer's doorstep.

For more than ten years, Amazon has been focused on increasing automation within its warehouse operations. 

This emphasis led to the creation of Amazon Robotics, after it bought Kiva Systems, a company producing warehouse automation robots, for $775 million in 2012.

By last October, the company announced deploying over 1 million robots throughout its operational network.

In communications with delivery partners, Amazon explained that Rivr's technology, featuring a novel four-legged robot, will enable them to explore how these devices might streamline delivery operations, including "assisting delivery associates in carrying parcels from vehicles to doorsteps."

"We are at the beginning of this new phase, and as we advance, we'll engage with you and our teams to test this technology, collecting real-world data and your insights to shape its future development," the company explained.

Amazon had previously invested in Rivr as part of its $1 billion Industrial Innovation Fund initiated in 2022, aimed at supporting advances in warehouse and logistics technology. 

Bezos Expeditions, the venture firm established by Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos, also contributed to Rivr's $22 million initial funding last March. Rivr was formerly known as Swiss-Mile.