Amazon is preparing for a future where a humanoid robot may provide your online orders. The tech giant is reportedly developing artificial intelligence that allows robots to act as delivery workers, with plans to begin real-world testing soon.
According to The Information, a new test site is being built in San Francisco that includes an indoor course designed specifically for training humanoid robots. The facility, described as about the size of a coffee shop, contains a Rivian electric van, which the robots will use to practise entering and exiting – mimicking what they would do during a real delivery.
New testing ground for robotic delivery
An anonymous source in the project shared that the new training facility is almost complete. The robots will be taught to ride in the back of Amazon’s Rivian electric vans, jump out, and carry packages to customers’ doors. The indoor setup is a practice course where robots can learn to move through typical delivery scenarios.
The company is building on its previous work with robotics. You might already know that Amazon uses many autonomous warehouse machines to sort, move, and pack products. But now, the focus is shifting from warehouse support to street-level delivery.
Amazon’s new AI team plays a key role
To make this possible, Amazon recently launched a new team focused on developing “agentic AI” – software designed to help robots act more independently and flexibly. In a statement to Silicon Valley, Amazon explained that the goal is to move away from robots with limited, fixed functions. Instead, the company aims to create machines that can listen, understand natural language, and perform multiple tasks.
In simpler terms, this means that rather than telling a robot to do one specific job, Amazon wants robots that can handle various tasks depending on the situation. That includes understanding spoken instructions and reacting to them in real time – a big step forward from current systems.
The humanoid robots being tested are not all from one manufacturer. Among those expected to be part of the trials is a $16,000 robot from Chinese company Unitree. Amazon has also tested the “Digit” robot from Agility Robotics, a humanoid machine that can walk on two legs and carry objects. This robot was initially designed to ride in delivery vans and perform last-mile delivery tasks – exactly what Amazon now seems focused on making a reality.
Automation continues to reshape Amazon’s future
At the moment, Amazon employs hundreds of thousands of people to handle deliveries worldwide. However, the company’s long-term goal appears to be full automation—from its warehouses all the way to your doorstep. Amazon’s acquisition of Zoox, a robotaxi company, back in 2020 points to its broader ambitions in autonomous technology.
With the complete humanoid robot testing facility, the next stage could be trials on actual streets. If successful, this could mark a major shift in package delivery. Robots could soon become a regular part of daily deliveries, helping Amazon save time, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
As technology advances, the day your parcel is handed to you by a robot instead of a person may not be far off.
