While most delivery automation systems are still lingering at the curb, Rivr wants to bring robots directly to your doorstep.
This Zurich-based robotics startup is partnering with U.S. logistics company Veho in Austin, Texas, to pilot-test a four-wheel robot that can "climb stairs," addressing the toughest part of last-mile delivery: the final "100 yards."
Designed to handle the most complex and physically demanding portion of the journey between Veho's van and the customer’s door, this robot has been vividly described by Rivr founder and CEO Marko Bjelonic as a “dog on roller skates.”
The initial scale of the pilot project is small—deploying only one robot per day, running for 5 to 6 hours, with full supervision by Rivr staff. However, this is a crucial step for both companies in achieving end-to-end delivery.
"This is an easy task for human delivery drivers but the hardest challenge for robots," Bjelonic noted. "We believe Rivr represents the next stage after sidewalk robots."
Beyond deliveries, Rivr is also accumulating key data for developing "general physical AI." Unlike language models like ChatGPT, which can rely on the internet for training, robots have limited opportunities to collect real-world data. "To train robots, you must find meaningful use cases first," Bjelonic emphasized, "and then gather enough data to make them smarter."
Veho is a rapidly growing logistics company in the U.S., serving brands like Sephora, Saks, and HelloFresh across 50 markets. Through this collaboration, Veho aims to test how robots and drivers can work together to deliver packages, with the potential to significantly improve efficiency and reduce manpower in densely populated areas.
Although the robots now possess autonomous navigation capabilities, remote operators can intervene if necessary. According to Veho co-founder and CTO Fred Cook, the pilot project will initially focus on residential areas in northwest Austin and gradually expand to urban centers. In the future, Veho plans to equip the robots with charging stations for round-the-clock operations.
Rivr aims to expand its operational fleet to 100 robots by 2025 and deploy "thousands" by 2027. Currently, Rivr is also collaborating with delivery platform Evri in the UK, having raised over $25 million to date. The latest funding round was led by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, valuing the company at $100 million.
In the increasingly competitive field of delivery automation, Rivr is finding new breakthroughs by focusing on "robots handling the last leg of the journey."
