Amazon might start using humanoid robots to deliver packages

Amazon is working on software for humanoid robots that might one day deliver packages to customers' doorsteps.

The idea is for humanoid robots to ride around in Rivian electric vans (Rivian is an electric vehicle company partially owned by Amazon) and deliver packages to customers.

This is according to a new report by The Information, which claims that the project will soon begin testing in Amazon facilities in San Francisco.

The project appears to be in a fairly early stage, with Amazon working on software and AI to power the robots, as well as testing several different humanoid robots, including those from Chinese company Unitree.

Amazon mostly uses purpose-specific robots in its facilities, but it has tested a humanoid robot called Digit from Agility Robotics for warehouse work back in 2023.

Earlier this week, the company announced the launch of a new Agentic AI team, which builds software that powers multi-purpose robots. Amazon also said that it's working on other ways to speed up deliveries, including AI-powered delivery optimization.