A New Era in Package Delivery: Robots Ferrying Packages from Van to Doorstep

In a pilot program set to launch this week in Austin, Texas, robotics startup Rivr is taking on the final hurdle in package delivery – the last 100 yards from the van to the customer’s doorstep. Rivr’s four-wheeled, stair-climbing delivery robot, described as “a dog on roller skates” by CEO Marko Bjelonic, will ferry packages directly to customers’ front doors, marking a critical step towards solving the end-to-end autonomous delivery journey.

The partnership with Veho, a delivery company serving 50 U.S. markets for brands like Sephora and HelloFresh, will allow Rivr to test its technology and accumulate data necessary to build a general physical AI framework. “What we have seen in the robotic space is that there’s a data barrier,” Bjelonic explained. “But in the robotics world, that kind of dataset is missing, so you need to find the meaningful use case where you can solve a real problem, and then you can start collecting all of the data to make these robots more intelligent.”

For Veho, this partnership represents an opportunity to test what automation looks like from the van to the customer’s door. This could eventually allow for more deliveries to take place at once, particularly in dense urban areas where both the driver and the robot can tag-team a particular street simultaneously. “Our robot helpers can also reduce the workload on these drivers by taking over the physically demanding task of walking door to door,” Bjelonic noted.

The Austin pilot will start in the more residential area of Northwest Austin before expanding to denser areas of town. A Rivr employee will accompany the bot to ensure safety and delivery quality, with remote operators able to tap in if the bot gets stuck. The startup hopes to use the learnings from this partnership to scale to 100 bots by next year and thousands in 2027.

“We see Rivr as a differentiator, almost as the next evolutionary step from the sidewalk robots,” Bjelonic said. “Robotics makes an impact by actually solving these very challenging problems that are actually quite easy for humans but hard for robots.” With over $25 million in funding, including a Jeff Bezos-led round that valued the company at $100 million, Rivr is poised to take on the last mile of delivery.

The Rivr robot is designed to navigate through various environments, including stairs, curbs, and sidewalks. It is equipped with sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and navigate through crowded areas. The robot can also communicate with the driver and other robots in real-time, allowing for seamless coordination and efficient delivery.

Rivr’s technology has the potential to revolutionize the delivery industry, making it faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective. With the ability to navigate through complex environments and deliver packages directly to customers’ doors, Rivr’s robots could become a game-changer in the world of logistics and e-commerce.

In addition to its partnership with Veho, Rivr is also operating in the U.K. through a partnership with delivery platform Evri. The startup plans to expand its operations to other markets in the coming years, with a focus on developing its technology and building a robust network of robots and drivers.

As the delivery industry continues to evolve, Rivr is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for autonomous and efficient delivery solutions. With its innovative technology and strategic partnerships, the startup is poised to make a significant impact in the world of logistics and e-commerce.