Rivr Robots & Veho Vans: Last-Mile Delivery in Austin

The Final Leg of Delivery: Veho and Rivr Tackle the "Last 100 Yards"

Current delivery automation systems generally conclude their operations at the curb. However, Veho, in collaboration with Zurich-based robotics firm Rivr, is focusing on the significant challenge – and potential – presented by the final 100 yards, bridging the gap between the delivery van and the customer’s doorstep.

Introducing Rivr's Autonomous Delivery Robot

A pilot program commenced Tuesday in Austin, Texas, featuring Rivr’s innovative four-wheeled delivery robot. CEO and founder Marko Bjelonic aptly describes the robot as “a dog on roller skates,” designed to navigate stairs and uneven terrain. This robot will transport packages directly from Veho vans to customers’ homes.

A Phased and Supervised Launch

The initial phase of this collaboration is deliberately limited, as shared exclusively with TechCrunch. A single, closely monitored robot will operate daily, completing five- to six-hour delivery routes over a period of several weeks within Austin. Both companies view this as a crucial advancement in achieving fully autonomous end-to-end delivery.

Robotics Addressing Complex Delivery Challenges

Bjelonic explains that robotics excels in solving intricate problems within last-mile delivery. These are tasks easily handled by humans but present considerable difficulties for robots. He positions Rivr as a progressive development beyond existing sidewalk delivery robots, offering a unique advantage.

Data Acquisition for Advanced AI

The partnership with Veho provides Rivr with a valuable opportunity to refine its technology and gather essential data. This data is critical for developing a comprehensive physical AI framework.

“A significant obstacle in the robotics sector is the lack of extensive datasets,” Bjelonic stated to TechCrunch. “Unlike chatbots like ChatGPT, which benefit from internet-based training data, or self-driving cars with fleets of sensor-equipped vehicles, robotics lacks this resource. Therefore, identifying a practical application to address a genuine problem is essential for collecting the data needed to enhance robot intelligence.”

Veho's Vision for Enhanced Delivery Efficiency

For Veho, serving 50 U.S. markets with deliveries for brands such as Sephora, Saks, and HelloFresh, this collaboration represents a test of automation possibilities between the van and the customer’s door. This could potentially enable a greater volume of deliveries, especially in densely populated urban environments, where drivers and robots can work in tandem on the same street.

Bjelonic suggests that Rivr’s “robot helpers” can also alleviate the physical strain on delivery drivers by assuming the responsibility of door-to-door package delivery.

Safety and Operational Oversight

Throughout the Austin trial, a Rivr employee will accompany the robot to ensure safety and maintain delivery quality. While the robots are capable of autonomous operation, remote operators will be available to provide assistance if any issues arise.

Expansion Plans and Future Integration

According to Fred Cook, Veho’s co-founder and CTO, the Austin pilot will initially focus on the residential areas of Northwest Austin before expanding to more congested parts of the city. Cook envisions a future where vehicles are paired with charging stations, enabling the robots to operate throughout the entire workday.

Rivr's Growth Trajectory

Rivr aims to leverage the insights gained from its partnership with Veho to expand its fleet to 100 robots by the following year and thousands by 2027. The startup is currently active in the U.K. through a collaboration with delivery platform Evri. To date, Rivr has secured over $25 million in funding, including a round led by Jeff Bezos, which valued the company at $100 million.

• Key Partnership: Veho and Rivr are collaborating to automate the final stage of delivery.
• Robot Capabilities: Rivr’s robot can navigate stairs and deliver packages directly to doorsteps.
• Data Importance: Data collection is crucial for developing advanced AI in the robotics field.
• Future Expansion: Rivr plans to significantly increase its robot fleet in the coming years.