Amazon testing humanoid robots for package delivery

Amazon, the £1.47 trillion technology giant, is reportedly advancing its robotics programme with the development of humanoid robots designed for package delivery. According to sources, the company is building a “humanoid park” in the United States to trial these machines, with the potential to revolutionise its logistics operations.

The robots, powered by Amazon’s proprietary artificial intelligence software, are expected to complement the company’s fleet of Rivian delivery vans. It is envisioned that the humanoid robots could “spring out” of vans to execute deliveries, with one robot handling a delivery in parallel to a human driver working on an adjacent task. This approach could significantly accelerate drop-off times, according to insiders familiar with the project.

Early testing is underway at an indoor facility in San Francisco, set up with an obstacle course roughly the size of a coffee shop. Amazon has already integrated one of its Rivian delivery vans into the testing area as part of its development process. Reports also suggest that once the prototype humanoids prove capable in the controlled environment, they will be tested in real-world scenarios, delivering packages directly to homes.

Amazon has previously experimented with humanoid robots in its warehouses, collaborating with US-based Agility Robotics. The company’s Digit humanoid robot allowed employees to allocate tasks to robots, effectively elevating their roles to “robot managers”. This aligns with Amazon’s broader strategy of incorporating advanced automation to enhance efficiency within its fulfilment and delivery networks.

The initiative forms part of the company’s commitment to innovating last-mile delivery solutions. Amazon’s existing interests in autonomous delivery, exemplified by its Zoox self-driving vehicle unit and drone testing programmes, demonstrate its ambition to explore new methods that reduce labour requirements and improve logistical efficiency. Last year, Amazon obtained regulatory approval in the UK to test delivery drones beyond the line of sight of a human controller, marking another milestone in its efforts to modernise the delivery process.

However, reliability outside controlled settings poses a significant challenge. Experts, such as Professor Subramanian Ramamoorthy, Chair of Robot Learning and Autonomy at the University of Edinburgh, note that while the humanoids might perform well under simplified conditions, complex environments involving pets, children, and irregular layouts present greater difficulties. For now, Amazon appears to be focusing on testing in more predictable scenarios to streamline the transition of its humanoid robots from experimentation to practical use.

The robotics project reflects the intensifying competition within the logistics and e-commerce sectors to harness advanced technologies and maintain competitive advantages. Though the timeline for full implementation remains uncertain, Amazon’s robust investment in emerging technologies continues to redefine the future of delivery services.