Amazon Is Testing Humanoid Robots to Deliver Packages from Rivian Electric Vans

Amazon is preparing to test humanoid robots that could soon help deliver packages from Rivian electric vans right to your doorstep.

Over 20,000 Rivian electric vans are already part of Amazon’s delivery fleet, and that number is expected to hit 100,000 by the end of the decade. Currently, human drivers handle both the driving and delivery. But Amazon wants robots to handle the “last few steps” of the job in the near future.

Testing Begins at a Special Amazon Facility

According to The Information, Amazon has built a special indoor testing area called a “humanoid park” at its San Francisco office. This space includes an obstacle course designed to look like a real-world delivery setting. It even includes a Rivian delivery van, so robots can practice getting in and out of the vehicle to simulate actual deliveries.

The goal is to test how well these robots can navigate curbs, steps, and sidewalks, and deliver packages directly to customers’ doors.

What Kind of Robots Are Being Used?

Amazon will be testing a few different humanoid robots, but the article specifically mentions one model made by Unitree, a robotics company based in China. Amazon has already used robots in its warehouses, including some humanoid models from Agility Robotics. However, those were limited to controlled indoor environments. This new project will test how robots perform in more unpredictable, outdoor conditions.

Smart Software Is Key

Amazon is also working on its own software to control these robots. The company is reportedly using artificial intelligence tools such as DeepSeek-VL2 (from a China-based quant fund) and Qwen (developed by Alibaba). These AI systems will help robots "see" their surroundings and make smart decisions during deliveries.

Why This Matters

This test marks a big step toward automating last-mile delivery. If successful, humanoid robots could reduce the need for human couriers to walk packages to the door. Pairing this tech with Rivian’s all-electric vans could help Amazon cut costs, speed up delivery times, and lower its carbon footprint.

Field tests in real neighborhoods are still being discussed, but for now, the focus is on testing in Amazon’s indoor facility.


Source: Electrek, June 4, 2025
Cover Image: AI Generated