Amazon quietly completed the acquisition earlier this week without a public announcement, disclosing the deal only in a notice sent to its third-party delivery partners. In the communication, the company said it had recently acquired Rivr, a firm focused on developing robotics technology for doorstep delivery.

The move underscores Amazon’s efforts to enhance both safety and efficiency in the final stage of the delivery process. The company noted that Rivr’s technology, when used alongside human delivery workers, could improve operational safety and overall customer experience—particularly in the “last mile” segment.

According to the notice, Rivr has developed a wheeled quadruped robot designed to assist delivery personnel. Amazon plans to explore how such devices can be integrated into its logistics workflow, including helping transport packages from delivery vehicles directly to customers’ doorsteps.

The company emphasized that the initiative remains in its early stages. As development progresses, Amazon intends to collaborate with delivery partners and internal teams to conduct real-world testing, gather operational data, and refine plans for potential large-scale deployment.

Amazon had previously backed Rivr through its $1 billion Industrial Innovation Fund, launched in 2022 to support advancements in logistics and warehouse technologies. Bezos Expeditions, the venture capital firm founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, also participated in Rivr’s $22 million seed funding round in March last year.

Amazon’s delivery network relies heavily on thousands of independent third-party contractors responsible for last-mile logistics—transporting packages from warehouses to customers’ homes. The acquisition reflects Amazon’s continued investment in automation as well as its efforts to improve safety conditions for delivery workers.

Over the past decade, Amazon has steadily increased spending on automation across its operations. In 2012, the company acquired warehouse robotics maker Kiva Systems for $775 million, later forming its Amazon Robotics division to drive automation initiatives.

Market Insight:

In October last year, Amazon announced it had deployed more than one million robots across its global operations network. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos is reportedly preparing to raise up to $100 billion for a new investment fund targeting sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, defense, and aerospace, with a focus on accelerating industrial automation through artificial intelligence.