Amazon is working on software for humanoid robots that may eventually transport packages to customers’ homes. The idea includes humanoid robots being transported in Rivian electric vans (Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer partly owned by Amazon) to facilitate deliveries. As reported by The Information, the initiative will soon start trials at Amazon locations in San Francisco. Currently in its initial phases, the project sees Amazon concentrating on software and AI development for the robots and evaluating various humanoid robots, including models from the Chinese firm Unitree.

Amazon mainly employs specialized robots in its operations but previously experimented with a humanoid robot named Digit from Agility Robotics for warehouse functions in 2023. Earlier this week, the company revealed the formation of a new Agentic AI team tasked with developing software for versatile robots. Amazon also noted its efforts on alternative strategies to speed up deliveries, which feature AI-driven delivery optimization.