Amazon Buys Zurich Robotics Startup Rivr

Amazon has acquired Rivr, a Zurich startup that builds autonomous robots designed to handle stairs and rough surfaces. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Rivr was valued at about $110 million in an August 2024 funding round that included participation from Amazon and Bezos Expeditions.

Rivr’s machines combine four legs with wheels to move in environments that would challenge conventional delivery robots. The company recently introduced a second-generation model, which emphasizes greater mobility and stability on uneven ground. Those traits make the platform an appealing fit for companies looking to speed up last-mile deliveries to homes and businesses.

An Amazon spokesperson told reporters the acquisition aligns with the company’s ongoing investment in research and development and that it could improve safety and delivery outcomes for delivery partners and associates. Amazon has been steadily integrating automation across its operations: last summer it noted the deployment of its 1 millionth robot and has publicly discussed goals to automate a large share of its workflows.

Rivr’s mix of legged and wheeled mobility is notable because it addresses a persistent hurdle for delivery robotics: navigating stairs and irregular surfaces at scale. Many warehouse robots excel on flat floors, but the street-level challenges of curbs, steps and thresholds demand different engineering approaches. Acquiring a specialist like Rivr could help Amazon bridge that gap more quickly than in-house development alone.

For readers watching the evolution of delivery tech, this move signals that major players are still prioritizing real-world mobility improvements, not just software or perception upgrades. Expect Amazon to experiment with integrating Rivr’s hardware into pilot programs before any broader rollout, meaning the visible impact for consumers may be gradual but targeted toward tougher last-mile scenarios.